REIMS and VERDUN - France 2014 - page 1470

To best experience contemporary Reims, explore the busy shopping streets between
the cathedral and the Reims-Centre train station. Rue de Vesle, Rue Condorcet, and Place
Drouet d'Erlon are most interesting.
Orientation to Reims
Reims' hard-to-miss cathedral marks the city center and makes an easy orientation land-
mark.Mostsightsofinterestarewithina15-minutewalkfromtheReims-Centre trainsta-
tion. City buses and taxis connect the harder-to-reach Champagne caves with the central
train station and cathedral. The city has ambitiously renovated its downtown, converting
large areas into pedestrian-friendly zones.
Tourist Information
The main TI is located outside the cathedral 's left (north) transept (TI open Easter-Sept
Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-18:00, Oct-Easter Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-16:00;
public WCs across street, tel. [phone], www.reims-tourisme.com ) . A smaller
yet handy TI lies just outside the Reims-Centre train station (Mon-Sat 8:30-11:00 &
12:00-18:00—until 19:00 on Fri, Sun 11:00-17:00).
At either TI, pick up free maps of the town center, the bus and tram routes, and the
Champagne caves. The cathedral TI rents audioguides covering the cathedral, city center,
and Art Deco architecture (€6, additional set-€4, 1-2 hours each, designed to be shared).
Either TI can book a visit to the caves at Mumm or Martel (note that most caves re-
quire advance booking), and they'll call a taxi to get you to any cave. TIs also have in-
formation on minivan excursions into the vineyards and Champagne villages. For more
information on reservations and reaching the caves, see “Champagne Tours and Sights,”
on here .
Arrival in Reims
By Train: From Paris' Gare de l'Est station, take the direct TGV to the Reims-Centre
Station (12/day, 45 minutes, no baggage check). In Reims, the small TI is to your right as
you exit; a taxi office is to your left.