The Mini Paris! This Medieval City Less Than An Hour Away Has Fewer Crowds

Keen on savoring some of that French joie de vivre—and a glass of tariquet wine while you’re at it, cause why not?—But the insane crowds in Paris keep putting you off visiting?

Gorgeous as it may be, the City of Lights does not hold a monopoly on Haussmann architecture, medieval charm, and great food: in fact, this lesser-known ‘mini Paris’ nearby ticks all those boxes, and then some, without the overtourism!

So say au revoir to beret-and-baguette selfies with the Eiffel Tower for backdrop and exceedingly-long lines at the Louvre, and coucou to Reims:

Just Like Paris, Just In A Smaller Scale

Unless you’re a self-professed Francophile, chances are you’ve never heard of the name ‘Reims’ until you’ve come across this article, so let’s give you the shortest possible introduction to this most fascinating ancient city:

It lies approximately 80 miles away from Paris and is often referred to as the royal capital of France. Sorry, Versailles, you may get the lush estate and luxurious palaces, but this is where most of the country’s early monarchs were anointed in the Middle Ages.

Rewind it another millennium, and what you’ll find is a major city of the Roman Empire, one of the very first to be established upon the Roman conquest of Gaul—we know, that’s a lot of foreign-sounding names, but that’s how France was known back then.

Today, it is the largest conurbation in the Marne, a historical region in the northeast of France, with over 178,478 inhabitants, and despite being regularly upstaged by ‘Paname’, it’s just as vibrant and culturally-rich.

In fact, it feels just like a mini Paris, with its own ‘Notre-Dame’ cathedral, well-preserved Old Town, and incredible food scene:

Welcome To France’s Royal Capital

Every trip to Reims starts at its Notre-Dame. We know Notre-Dame is oftentimes associated exclusively with Paris’ soaring Gothic cathedral on the Seine, but (nearly) every major French city has their own.

In Reims’ case, it’s a gravity-defying structure with twin towers rising 81 meters high, an intricately ornamented western facade adorned with over 2,300 statues, and a colorful 13th-century rose window that casts kaleidoscopic reflections on the vaulted ceilings.

This is where French kings were crowned back in the day, by the day, and it’s free to enter.

The architectural display doesn’t end there: similarly to Paris, everywhere you look there seems to be a monumental edifice that might predate the foundation of America.

Palais du Tau is one such example, a former archbishop’s palace that now houses the historic coronation artifacts, as is Basilique Saint-Remi, a minor basilica famous for housing the remains of Saint Remi.

Meanwhile, Porte de Mars is a Roman-era triumphal arch erected in the 3rd century—Paris’ much-younger Arc de Triomphe can only wish—and it’s only a few steps away from the Roman underground galleries, built around the same time.

For World War enthusiasts, Fort de la Pompelle is a WWI fort and museum dedicated to the Battle of the Marne, one of the most emblematic of the First Great European Conflict, and if you love Paris for its elegant public buildings, you can’t miss out on Reims’ elegant Hôtel de Ville.

None Of That Instagrammer Clownery

& Delicious Food Everywhere You Go

As you can see, there’s plenty in Reims to keep you busy, and the best part is, it has very small crowds despite being so close to the world’s most visited capital city!

On average, it hosts only 1.8 million guests per year, a majority of which are French anyway, so the city itself feels authentically local and lived-in, with family-owned bistros and boulangeries galore, and none of the usual beret-clad Instagrammer clownery.

That’s probably why restaurants here serve some of the best food we’ve tried anywhere in France, from Aux Bons Amis‘ beef bourguignon, to Bistro de la Poste‘s trout salmon tartare.

French classics aside, he gastronomic coup de coeur in Northeastern France is andouillettes, a type of tripe sausage served in a pungent homemade mustard, and you truly haven’t been to Reims until you’ve sampled it.

In that case, head to La Brasserie du Boulingrin, a historic, yet laid-back brasserie where andouillettes are a specialty, served with crispy French fries or a salad.

By the way, a brasserie-style meal in Reims accompanied by a drink (a glass of wine or local beer) will set you back on average €18–21, or $21–23. Fairly affordable.

Where To Stay & How To Get There

If you’re looking for a place to stay, we highly recommend Hôtel des Arcades, a 3-star listing within short walking distance to all the main sights in town. An overnight here will set you back $118 as a couple, or only $59 per adult.

Now, in case you’re unsure how to get to Reims this summer, it couldn’t be easier if you’re already in Paris:

There are high-speed trains (TGV) linking both cities every day, starting from only $30 one-way, and the shortest journey takes 39 minutes.

Check for tickets and timetables directly on SNCF, France’s national railway operator’s website.

Oh, and speaking of restaurants, you don’t want to travel abroad this summer without familiarizing yourself first with local tipping culture. Make sure you use our European Tipping Calculator here to find out how to tip appropriately in France.

It is one of a number of new traveler tools we’ve launched recently here on Travel Off Path: you can also use this one to check the entry requirements at your destination, or this other one to verify safety advice in advance.

Let us know how it goes, and bon voyage!

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.