Free day trip TOUR to CHAMPAGNE. WW2 museum, Roman & Gothic architecture 🍾 🥂

PARIS DAY TRIP & Free Itinerary
Champagne, Reims, France

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS VIDEO:
BASIC LOGISTICS
LIGHT HISTORY
TOUR OF EACH DESTINATION

00:00 Introduction
00:11 Logistics & Trip Details
00:39 STOP ONE: Musée de la Reddition
02:00 STOP TWO: La Porte de Mars
02:28 STOP THREE: Sacré Burger
03:03 STOP FOUR: Cathédral Notre-Dame de Reims
05:06 STOP FIVE: Sabrage at Pol Couronne
05:34 STOP SIX: Champagne tasting at Trésors de Champagne
06:03 Final Logistic Notes

TRAVEL FROM PARIS
TO REIMS:
45 MINUTES
DEPARTING GARE DE L’EST
To learn how to navigate and use the train system in France, please see my step-by-step tutorial.

I also offer a tutorial on how to use the Paris metro!

DEPART PARIS AT 10:28 AM
ARRIVE REIMS 11:14 AM
YOU ARRIVE IN THE CENTER OF REIMS.
THIS IS A WALKING ITINERARY.

STOP ONE: MUSÉE DE LA REDDITION
12 Rue du Président Franklin Roosevelt, 51100 Reims
maps.app.goo.gl/docBErM2RFbPfpN29?g_st=ic

Welcome to the Musée de la Reddition, a significant site in global history. This building was once the headquarters for General Dwight D. Eisenhower during WWII. It was here, on May 7, 1945, where Germany officially surrendered, ending WWII in Europe. The museum showcases the "War Room," left as it was since the day of the surrender. Can you imagine? In this room, decisions that shaped the course of history were made.

You'll find numerous exhibits depicting the lives of soldiers and civilians during the war. Original maps, photos, and documents provide a snapshot of the era. The museum also houses a remarkable collection of military uniforms and weaponry. There's an educational film about the end of the war, shown in the old projection room.

Remarkably, the museum operates in the same school where American soldiers once billeted. Musée de la Reddition is a poignant reminder of the gravity of war and the relief of peace. A visit here is an evocative step back into a world-changing event.

STOP TWO: LA PORTE DE MARS
Pl. de la République, 51100 Reims
maps.app.goo.gl/a4A45CP94AMwP2tb9?g_st=ic

Now we've arrived at La Porte de Mars, the widest arch of the Roman world. Named after the nearby temple dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war. Once marking the city’s boundaries, now a testament to Reims' Roman heritage.

STOP THREE: LUNCH AT SACRÉ BURGER
24 Rue de Tambour, 51100 Reims
maps.app.goo.gl/jRAbzP3PCYzUH5iD8?g_st=ic

More than 100 bottles of champagne to pair with your gourmet burgers, this restaurant is the perfect solution for a jam-packed itinerary. Very friendly staff. Be sure to make reservations in advance as this is a hot-spot in Reims for both locals and tourists!

STOP FOUR: CATHÉDRAL NOTRE-DAME DE REIMS
Pl. du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims
maps.app.goo.gl/VfGGX7rsyWQCVsL5A?g_st=ic

Behold the grandeur of the Notre-Dame of Reims, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Did you know this cathedral has witnessed the crowning of 25 French kings? Its construction began in 1211 and took almost a century to complete.

Notice the intricate facades adorned with over 2,300 statues, each telling a unique story. The Smiling Angel, or L'Ange au Sourire, is one of the cathedral's most beloved statues. The cathedral suffered significant damage in WWI but was carefully restored.

The three stained glass windows, spanning different periods, reflect a kaleidoscope of colors. Don't miss the modern windows by artist Marc Chagall, installed in 1974.

This place is not just a cathedral, but a living testament to France's rich history. Step inside and soak in the serene atmosphere, enhanced by the ethereal light filtering through the stained glass. The cathedral’s grand organ, boasting over 2,300 pipes, adds to its majesty.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit this UNESCO World Heritage site. As you wander, think of the countless historical figures who once walked these aisles. A visit to Reims is incomplete without witnessing the splendor of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

STOP FIVE: SABRAGE CLASS AT CHAMPAGNE POL COURONNE
11 Cr Jean-Baptiste Langlet, 51100 Reims
maps.app.goo.gl/XmAGq5QQcQLJoGyAA?g_st=ic

Champagne sabrage is a fascinating tradition dating back to the time of Napoleon. Legend has it, Napoleon's soldiers would slice the top off bottles to celebrate victories. This dramatic gesture became synonymous with celebration and still adds a touch of theatrics today.

STOP SIX: CHAMPAGNE TASTING AT TRÉSORS DE CHAMPAGNE
2 Rue Olivier Métra, 51100 Reims
maps.app.goo.gl/s5sabUdyxkXPBgDq5?g_st=ic

This stylish champagne store and bar offers tasting sessions featuring more than 170 different cuvées.

Looking for more itineraries, guides, and the latest insider information about travels to Paris or the rest of France? Look no further than my website, www.ThisFrench.Life! Instant download my day trips, Paris digital magazine, the France Travel Planner, and more! Bon voyage, darlings!