Reims museums

Erected in the former Abbey of Saint-Denis, the Museum of Fine Arts is home to a prestigious collection and offers visitors the chance to see a beautiful selection of masterpieces. Around 230 works of art invite you to voyage through five centuries of European and French art, from the Renaissance through to Art Deco, the Grand Siècle of the 17th century, impressionism, and finally the exceptional work of French-Japanese artist Léonard Foujita. More than one hundred ceramics are also on display. In light of its next renovation, the museum organises small thematic exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing works from its extensive collection kept in storage.

Getting there
8 rue Chanzy, 51100 Reims, France
Information: +33 (0)3 26 35 36 00
Bus: number 2, 4 or 5 – Opéra stop (arrêt Opéra)
Tram: line A or B – Opéra stop (arrêt Opéra)

Located in the architectural gem and UNESCO heritage site of the former Abbey of Saint-Remi, the Saint-Remi History Museum invites you to embark on a journey through the history of Reims and the surrounding region from its origins, with an extensive tour involving historical re-enactments and scale models of its buildings. Archaeological artefacts, artistic collections, and everyday objects tell the story of this ancient, medieval metropolis. Discover the statue of Saint Remi, the Bishop of Reims who baptised King Clovis, and follow in the footsteps of the monks, the guardians of the Holy Ampulla that was used to anoint the kings of France.

Getting there
53 rue Simon, 51100 Reims, France
Information: +33 (0)3 26 35 36 90
Bus: number 4, 6, 11 and City bus - Saint-Remi stop (arrêt Saint-Remi)

As a symbolic site of the defence of Reims and World War I in northeast France, the newly-renovated Fort de la Pompelle Museum sheds light on crucial moments in its history, from 1883 to present day. Its exceptional collection of German helmets, found nowhere else in the world, uniforms, and everyday objects used by soldiers will immerse you in an emotional place of remembrance that tells the story of these men’s experiences and the hardships of battle during the First World War in Champagne.

Getting there
RD 944 road from Châlons-en-Champagne Reims, Puisieulx, France
Information: +33 (0)3 26 49 11 85
Car: RD 944 – coming from Reims, road from Châlons-en-Champagne

It’s the 7th of May, 1945… 2:41am.… the end of World War II in Europe. Discover this historical event that took place in secret in the “map room” located in the technical college (now called Lycée Roosevelt) in the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, commanded by General Eisenhower. Archives, uniforms, and artefacts bring the months that preceded the Nazi surrender at Reims to life. Relive the night that changed the face of the world as we knew it as you venture into the signature room, a chief location in European history, where the end of this tragedy also marked the beginning of a long process of reconciliation.

Getting there
12 rue Franklin Roosevelt, 51100 Reims, France
Information: +44 (0)3 26 47 84 19
Bus: number 4, Roosevelt stop (arrêt Roosevelt)
Tram: line A, Schneiter stop (arrêt Schneiter)

The Our Lady of Peace Chapel is a testament to the artistic talent of the French-Japanese artist Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita (1886-1968), who designed and decorated the entire chapel himself between 1965 and 1966. The whimsical painter from the School of Paris, who converted to Christianity in Reims in 1959, draws us into his world, mixing Japanese culture with references to the Italian Renaissance. Blessed in 1966, this chapel is closely connected to the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses a large collection of the artist’s works. Léonard Foujita and his last wife, Kimiyo, are buried here.

Opening times
Daily from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm from 2 May to 30 September.
Closed on Tuesdays and 14 July.
Group reservations (minimum of 20 people) from 1 October to 30 April.

Getting there
33 rue du Champ de Mars, 51100 Reims, France
Tel.: +33 (0)3 26 35 36 00
Bus: number 7, Foujita stop (arrêt Foujita)
Tram: line A or B, Schneiter stop (arrêt Schneiter)

The Le Vergeur Museum offers an immersive experience into the preserved interior of a manor house that belonged to a member of Reims’ upper class, showcases three centuries of art and tells a personal story of Reims’ heritage. The building, which dates back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and was seriously damaged during the First World War, was saved by its owner Hugues Krafft (1853-1935), who travelled extensively in the Middle East and East Asia. After his death, his rich collections of furniture and pieces of art became the core focus of a museum bequeathed to the Société des Amis du Vieux Reims (Association of the Friends of Old Reims). The collections have since been added to regularly, thanks to the generosity of many donors. One particularly notable addition is the complete and original The Apocalypse and The Large Passion series of engravings by Albrecht Dürer.

Getting here
36 place du Forum, 51100 Reims, France
Information: +33 (0) 3 26 35 61 95
Bus lines 1, 3, 5, 8, 30, 40 to Royale stop
Tram lines A and B to Langlet stop
CityBus to Forum stop

Full rate
€5,50 : Museum of Fine Arts and Foujita Chapel
€5,50 : Saint-Remi History Museum
€5,50 : Fort de la Pompelle Museum
€5,50 : Museum of the Surrender

Concession
€3,30 : concession for people aged 18-25 and 65+
€3,30 : groups of more than 20 people

Free entry
Visitors under 18, students under 25 (with a valid student card), visitors with disabilities and carers, ICOM card-holders, press card-holders (card certifying your professional status)

Museum pass
€21: multi-museum pass (unlimited entry to five city museums)