Roman Reims

Long before kings and champagne, Reims was Durocortorum, a major Roman city and capital of the Remi people. Traces of that past survive in the centre, notably the Porte de Mars, a triumphal arch from the third century that is among the largest of its kind, and the cryptoportique, a vaulted gallery under the forum. The linked self-guided walking tour runs from the Roman ruins to the Second World War, linking sites you would otherwise pass without noticing. It is inexpensive, flexible and ideal for travellers who like to explore at their own pace with audio or app guidance, and it adds a deep layer to a stay focused on cathedral and cellars.

The Porte de Mars is the main sight. Standing at the edge of the centre beside a park, the arch has three openings and a weathered decoration of mythological scenes, and its size gives a sense of the scale of the Roman city. It was once a gate in the city wall, later adapted for defence, and it survived centuries of change.

Seeing it in daylight is worthwhile, and the park offers a place to sit. The arch is free to view from outside, and the surrounding area is easy to walk, so the sight fits easily into a half-day itinerary.

The cryptoportique lies in the middle of the town, under the Place du Forum. It is a U-shaped gallery that supported the Roman forum above, and a stretch of it can be seen through the opening and during certain visiting hours. Check opening times at the tourist office before you go, as access is limited. The tour links these sites with others on the route, including the cathedral area and medieval streets, and finishes with episodes from the twentieth century, which shows how many layers the city holds.

A self-guided tour has advantages. You choose when to start, where to stop and how long to linger, and you can pause for a coffee or a photograph. The audio or app format typically provides stories, directions and background at each stop, and works offline once downloaded, which is useful abroad. Carry a charged phone and headphones, and consider a power bank if you plan a long day. The walk is on level paving and can be completed in two to three hours, depending on pace.

Roman Reims also connects to the champagne story. The chalk quarries that the Romans dug for building stone later became the cellars where the wine ages, so the underground world beneath the town is the same material, reused over two thousand years. If you visit a cellar such as Taittinger or Pommery, you will recognise the shapes. Taking this walk before your cellar visit gives you the key to what you are seeing underground.

Plan the walk for a dry day, in the morning or late afternoon when the stone is warm. Pair it with a visit to the cathedral or Saint-Remi, and keep a flexible schedule for the cryptoportique's limited hours. Families will appreciate that the tour is low-cost and can be paused, and teenagers often enjoy the app-based structure. For visitors with limited time, even a quick visit to the arch is worth it, because it is a reminder that Reims has been important for two millennia.