Reims takes Christmas seriously. From late November into January, the city centre fills with a Christmas village of wooden chalets, lights, rides and seasonal food, claimed to be among the largest in France. The setting beside the cathedral gives it a special backdrop, and the champagne capital adds its own twist, with sparkling wine served alongside the usual mulled wine. It is free to wander, easy to reach on foot and combined naturally with a visit to the cathedral and a champagne house. For travellers seeking a winter break, it is the best reason to choose Reims between Advent and the new year.
What to expect
Dozens of chalets selling crafts, decorations, toys, candles and regional foods, with stands for hot snacks such as sausages, tartiflette and crêpes. Champagne bars and tasting stands are a highlight, offering a glass in the cold, and local producers sometimes show up with their own stalls. The streets around the cathedral are decorated, and evening illumination makes the facade a showpiece. Expect lively crowds on weekends and quiet mornings on weekdays, and dress warmly because the Champagne region is cold in winter.
Timing and logistics
The market opens in the afternoon and into the evening, with longer hours on weekends. Exact dates and opening times change each year, so check the tourist office or the city website before you travel. The market is centrally located and free to enter, though you will spend money on food and drink. Hotels fill up for the market weekends, so book early, and consider midweek stays for lower prices and calmer streets. Trains from Paris are frequent, making a day trip feasible.
Combine it with the rest of Reims. A winter visit offers cellar tours that are cosy and quiet, and the cathedral is spectacular in evening light. A good plan is a morning in a champagne house, a lunch of regional dishes, an afternoon at the market and an evening walk to see the lights. Museums and shops are open for winter, though some small producers close, so reserve in advance. If you are travelling with children, look for rides and a carousel, and plan a hot chocolate break.
Advice for first-time visitors
Carry cash for small stalls, although many accept cards, and bring a bag for purchases. Pickpockets can be present in crowds, so keep valuables secure. Wear shoes with a good grip, since pavements can be icy. Pace your tasting, because champagne in the cold goes down easily. If you plan to buy gifts, regional products like pink biscuits, mustard and local champagne are compact and easy to pack.
For something quieter, visit just after opening or on a weekday afternoon. For atmosphere, go after dark when the lights are on. If you want to turn it into a short break, stay two nights and add a half-day tasting or a day trip to Épernay, which holds its own winter lights festival in December. Together they make for a festive trip that feels special without the crowds of the largest Christmas destinations.
One last point
If you are visiting for the lights rather than the shopping, aim for the first week of the market, when the displays are fresh and the crowds lighter, or the days between Christmas and the new year, when many local families are at home and the streets are quieter. Photography is best at dusk, when the sky is deep blue and the lights are on, and the cathedral towers frame the scene beautifully.
What to expect
The experience
A free-to-enter Christmas village of wooden chalets and lights in the centre of Reims, with seasonal food and champagne stands.
Best time
Late November to January, evenings for lights; weekdays for quiet.
How long
Two to three hours.
Tips
Dress warmly, check dates and hours each year and book hotels early.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Winter travellers and families.
- Families
- Children enjoy rides, lights and treats.
- Couples
- Lights, mulled wine and a glass of champagne in the cold.
- Pair with
- Reims Cathedral, a cellar visit and Épernay's winter lights.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
When is the market open?+
From late November into January; exact dates change each year, so check before you travel.
Is it free?+
Entry is free; you pay for food, drinks and purchases.
Is there champagne?+
Yes, champagne stands are a feature of the market.
Can I visit as a day trip?+
Yes, trains from Paris are frequent.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, with rides, lights and treats, though weekends are crowded.