The best city hikes and walks in Marne

A magnificent architectural jewel nestled in the heart of this historic French city. This elegant opera house, with its rich history and vibrant programming, plays a vital role in the cultural life of Reims, captivating audiences with its splendid performances and significantly contributing to the city's artistic identity. The origins of the Opéra de Reims date back to the 19th century. Built in 1873, the original structure, designed in the neoclassical style, was a testament to the city's ambition and its thriving cultural scene. However, the devastation of the First World War severely damaged the building, leaving it in ruins. This setback, however, did not deter the city's commitment to the arts. The opera house was meticulously rebuilt in the 1930s, embracing the then-popular Art Deco style. Architects François Maille and Louis Sollier skillfully blended historical elements with the sleek lines and geometric shapes characteristic of the Art Deco movement, creating a unique and captivating architectural statement. The result is a building that seamlessly blends historical grandeur with modern aesthetics, a testament to the city's resilience and commitment to the arts. https://operadereims.com/

Unfortunately, performances are only irregular, so check the program in good time.

The opera, with its 750-seat Italian Hall, is a must-see on any tour of Reims' Art Deco heritage. Behind the preserved 19th-century facade, the architects completely restructured the interior in the spirit of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris after the First World War: bas-reliefs, ironwork, chandeliers, paintings...

Place Drouet d'Erlon, with its two fountains, is a vibrant and integral part of the city's social and cultural fabric. It serves as a central meeting place for residents and visitors and offers a lively mix of shops, cafés, and restaurants.

The square sits on the site of the ancient Roman forum of Durocorturum and follows the original Roman street layout with the main axes (Cardo and Decumanus). The architect Jean-Gabriel Legendre was married to the sister of Sophie Volland, who was the famous correspondent of philosopher Denis Diderot.

a historic square in central Reims that was built in the 18th century after demolishing a maze of narrow medieval streets that were so cramped that Queen Marie Leszczyńska couldn't pass through with her carriage. The square was designed by architect Jean-Gabriel Legendre and features orderly architecture typical of royal squares, with a central monument that originally honored Louis XV but was replaced after the French Revolution. Construction began in 1758 and cost 620k livres, significantly more than originally budgeted, and the square remained incomplete until 1910.

The street was originally called "rue de la Porte-aux-Ferrons" (Street of the Iron Gate) and the Galeries Lafayette building had to be rebuilt in 1933 after a fire destroyed its original roofline, replacing broken pavilion roofs with imperial-style domes.

One of Reims' most vibrant pedestrian streets, connecting the city center to the Vesle River and serving as a major commercial thoroughfare since the inauguration of the tram system in 2011. The street follows part of the ancient Roman decumanus maximus, the main east-west road of the Gallo-Roman city, though it was heavily destroyed during World War I and rebuilt with notable Art Deco architecture. Today it houses significant buildings including the Opera de Reims and several remarkable Art Deco structures like the Galeries Lafayette department store.