Palais du Tau Entrance Fees 2025: Visit Reims Palace
Discover Palais du Tau entrance fees and ticket options for 2025. Learn about this historic Reims palace before your visit. Book your royal tour today!

On this page
Visiting this palace is a highlight for many travelers exploring the historic city of Reims in France. Understanding the Palais du Tau entrance fees helps you plan your budget for this royal destination effectively. This palace served as the residence for kings during their magnificent coronation ceremonies at the nearby cathedral. Today it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with priceless treasures from French royal history. You can explore the grand halls where monarchs celebrated before they officially took the French throne.
Planning your trip to famous Reims landmarks requires knowing the latest prices and opening times for 2025. The palace offers a unique look at the rituals that defined the French monarchy for many centuries. Visitors can see the original statues from the cathedral and the coronation robes worn by past kings. This guide provides all the necessary details to make your visit smooth and very enjoyable this year.
Palais du Tau Entrance Fees and Ticket Prices
Standard adult tickets for the palace usually cost around nine euros per person for most visitors. Discounted rates of seven euros are available for groups and young adults under twenty-six years old. Entry is free for individuals under eighteen and citizens of the European Union under twenty-six. You should verify current prices on the official website before you depart for your trip today. This ensures you have the most accurate information for your travel budget during the 2025 season.
The palace also participates in the European Heritage Days which offer free admission on specific September weekends. Many travelers choose to buy their tickets online to avoid long queues during the busy summer months. Group rates apply when you visit with more than twenty people in your organized tour party. Digital tickets are easily scanned at the entrance to provide a fast and very efficient entry process. Remember to keep your physical or digital receipt handy for the duration of your entire visit.
Special exhibitions hosted inside the palace might require an additional fee beyond the standard entrance ticket price. These temporary displays often feature rare artifacts on loan from other major national museums in France. You can check the current exhibition schedule to see if extra costs apply during your specific visit. Frequent visitors might consider purchasing a national monument pass for better value across multiple French heritage sites. This pass covers many historical architecture Reims locations and other landmarks across the country.
What to See Inside the Palace of Tau
The Great Hall of the Tau is the most impressive room you will see during your tour. This massive space hosted the grand banquets that followed the official coronation of every new French king. You can admire the high vaulted ceilings and the intricate stone carvings that decorate the ancient walls. The hall provides a sense of the scale and grandeur associated with the historic French monarchy. Standing in this room allows you to imagine the festive atmosphere of past royal celebrations in Reims.
One of the most valuable items on display is the famous Talisman of Charlemagne from the ninth century. This gold and jewel-encrusted pendant is a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship and holds deep historical significance. You will also see the coronation chalice which was used during the sacred anointing of the kings. These treasures are kept in high-security glass cases to ensure their preservation for future generations to see. The collection includes several other liturgical objects made from precious metals and rare shimmering gemstones.
- The Coronation Robes: See the intricate embroidery and heavy fabrics used for royal ceremonies.
- Cathedral Statues: View the original stone figures moved here to protect them from environmental damage.
- Royal Tapestries: Marvel at the large woven scenes depicting biblical stories and historical events.
- The Chapel: Visit the quiet two-story chapel built in the early thirteenth century for the bishops.
The museum houses the original "Smiling Angel" statue which is a famous symbol of the city of Reims. This beautiful piece of sculpture was moved from the cathedral facade to protect it from further erosion. You can get a much closer look at the delicate facial features and the expert carving work. The museum layout guides you through chronological periods to help you understand the long history of the palace. Each room offers detailed plaques in multiple languages to explain the importance of the various items.
History and Architecture of the Palais du Tau
The name of the palace comes from its unusual T-shape which resembles the Greek letter called Tau. Architects designed the original building in the twelfth century to serve as the residence for the powerful archbishops. It underwent several major renovations during the seventeenth century to reflect the popular neoclassical style of that era. These changes added elegant facades and symmetrical windows that you can still see on the exterior today. The blend of Gothic and classical elements makes the palace a unique architectural study for many visitors.
Fire damaged large parts of the structure during the First World War when Reims suffered heavy aerial bombardment. Skilled craftsmen worked for many decades to restore the palace to its former glory and historic royal appearance. They used traditional techniques and materials to ensure the restoration remained faithful to the original architectural plans. You can see photos of the damage and the restoration process in the museum's historical gallery section. This display highlights the resilience of the local community and their dedication to preserving French heritage.
The palace courtyard offers a peaceful escape from the busy streets of the modern city of Reims. You can admire the harmony between the palace walls and the towering presence of the nearby cathedral structure. This site is a prime example of the Reims walking tours architecture that many enthusiasts enjoy exploring. The gardens around the palace provide excellent vantage points for photography during the soft light of the afternoon. Take a moment to sit and appreciate the quiet atmosphere of this ancient religious and royal complex.
Planning Your Visit and Best Times to Go
The palace is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday throughout the entire calendar year of 2025. Doors typically open at nine-thirty in the morning and close around six in the evening each day. You should plan for at least two hours to see all the exhibits and the historical rooms. Arriving early in the morning helps you avoid the larger crowds that usually gather during the midday. Check the Reims Cathedral visiting hours 2025 to coordinate your schedule for both sites.
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit Reims because the weather remains mild and cool. Summer can be quite hot and crowded with many international tourists visiting the famous Champagne region of France. Winter offers a much quieter experience but some sections of the palace might be colder for visitors. The festive decorations in December add a touch of magic to the city streets around the palace. No matter when you choose to go, the historical significance of the palace remains deeply moving and impressive.
The palace is located in the heart of the city and is very easy to reach on foot. Most major hotels in the city center are within a short ten-minute walk of the main entrance. Public transport options like the local tram system stop nearby at the Opera or Cathedral stations regularly. If you are driving, there are several covered parking garages located within a five-minute walk of the site. Using a map will help you navigate the charming streets as you search for this royal landmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is entry to the Palais du Tau free on certain days?
Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month from November through the month of March. You can also visit for free during the European Heritage Days held every year in late September. Always check the official website for any specific dates or changes to this free entry policy. These days are often very busy so you should expect longer wait times at the palace entrance.
Are there combined tickets for other Reims attractions?
The city often offers a Reims City Pass which includes entry to several museums and public transport. This pass can provide great savings if you plan to visit multiple historical sites during your stay. You can purchase these passes at the local tourism office or online before you arrive in Reims. It is a convenient way to manage your Palais du Tau entrance fees and other local costs.
Is the Palais du Tau accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
The palace has made significant efforts to provide access for all visitors including those using wheelchairs or strollers. Elevators are available to reach the upper floors and the main exhibition halls of the historic museum. Some older sections might have uneven floors so you should take extra care while moving through the building. Staff members are always available to assist visitors who require help navigating the various rooms and galleries.
The Palais du Tau is a must-see destination for anyone interested in the royal history of France. Planning your visit with current Palais du Tau entrance fees ensures a stress-free experience in this beautiful city. From the coronation treasures to the grand architectural details, every room tells a fascinating story of the past. Make sure to visit the cathedral next door to complete your historical journey through the city of Reims. Enjoy your exploration of this royal palace and the many wonders it holds for travelers today.
Key Takeaways
- Standard adult entry for the Palais du Tau in 2025 is approximately nine euros.
- Entry is free for EU citizens under twenty-six and all visitors under eighteen.
- The palace houses the original coronation treasures and statues from the Reims Cathedral.
- Allow at least two hours to fully explore the museum and the Great Hall.
- Combine your visit with the nearby cathedral for a complete historical experience.
Related reads: streetartly.com, street art and architecture in reims.