Best Photography Spots Reims: A 2025 Travel Guide

Reims offers many amazing views for every single camera enthusiast who visits northern France. You will find many historic sites and colorful modern murals throughout the city streets. The golden light changes beautifully during the early morning and the late evening hours. This detailed guide helps you find the best photography spots Reims offers in 2025.

The city serves as the unofficial capital of the famous Champagne wine producing region. You can explore grand boulevards and narrow alleys that are perfect for street photography shots. Most major landmarks are located within easy walking distance from the main central train station. Bring your best camera gear to capture the unique blend of history and modern life.

Capture the Majesty of Reims Cathedral

The Reims Cathedral is a global masterpiece of Gothic design and historic French architecture. Its massive facade features thousands of detailed stone statues that represent kings and religious figures. You should bring a wide-angle lens to capture the full scale of this incredible monument. Check out the Reims cathedral architecture for more visual details before you start shooting.

Golden hour provides the most beautiful light for your photos of the cathedral towers. The sun sets directly across from the west front during the warm summer months of 2025. You will see the stone turn a deep orange color as the day ends. This is the perfect time for capturing high-contrast images with long and dramatic shadows.

The interior of the cathedral offers a different but equally stunning set of photo opportunities. High vaulted ceilings and colorful stained glass windows create a very peaceful and holy atmosphere. You must use a high ISO setting because tripods are usually not allowed inside the church. The Great Rose Window looks particularly beautiful when the afternoon sun shines through the glass.

Walk around the exterior of the building to find unique angles from the side streets. The Place du Cardinal Luçon provides a wide open space for clear and unobstructed shots. You can frame the towers through the surrounding trees for a more natural and soft look. Many professional photographers visit this spot early in the morning to avoid the tourist crowds.

Entrance to the main nave of the cathedral is free for all visitors throughout the year. You should check the local schedule for special events that might limit your access to certain areas. Night photography is also popular here because the building is beautifully lit by large spotlights. The cathedral remains one of the most iconic photography spots Reims has for travelers.

Modern Murals and Photography Spots Reims Districts

Reims is becoming a major hub for urban creativity and colorful modern street art projects. The Le Mur project features a rotating gallery of murals created by very talented local artists. You can find these vibrant works of art near the city center and in industrial zones. These spots offer a great contrast to the ancient stone buildings found in the old town.

The Saint-Remi district contains several large-scale paintings that cover entire walls of modern apartment blocks. These murals represent the modern spirit of the city and provide excellent backgrounds for portrait photography. You will find a variety of styles ranging from abstract shapes to very realistic portraits. Explore the best Reims street art locations to find your favorite pieces.

Walking through these neighborhoods allows you to see the daily life of the local French people. You should look for hidden alleyways where smaller graffiti pieces and stickers decorate the metal doors. The colors are especially bright and vivid during the clear days of the spring season. Bring a medium prime lens to capture the fine details of the spray paint textures.

Street art in Reims is often legal and supported by the local government and art communities. This means the quality of the work is very high and the murals remain well-preserved. You can spend an entire afternoon walking between different sites to fill your digital camera cards. Many artists use local themes like champagne bottles or historic kings in their modern designs.

These locations are perfect for those who want to see a different side of the city. You can find specific maps online that guide you to the newest and most popular murals. The urban landscape of Reims provides endless opportunities for creative and edgy architectural photography shots. This district is a must-visit for any modern photographer looking for something unique.

Historical Architecture at Palais du Tau

The Palais du Tau is located right next to the cathedral and offers amazing views. This former archbishop's palace houses many original statues and tapestries from the great cathedral nearby. The courtyard is a quiet place that is perfect for capturing the detailed stone work. You will find many best architecture photography spots Reims offers inside these ancient palace walls.

The palace architecture combines elements from the Middle Ages with more modern classical French design styles. You can photograph the large windows that overlook the cathedral to get a very unique perspective. The stone stairs inside the building offer great leading lines for your interior architectural photos. Use a tripod if you have permission to capture the dark and moody hallways.

Visiting during the winter of 2025 provides a very calm and quiet photography experience here. The low winter sun creates long shadows across the courtyard and the old stone floors. You can focus on the small details like the ornate door handles and carved wooden ceilings. These small elements tell the long and rich history of the French royalty in Reims.

The palace is open to the public for a small entry fee of about eight euros. This ticket also gives you access to the museum where you can see the royal treasures. Spend some time in the garden to get a wide shot of the palace facade. This location is essential for any photographer interested in the deep history of France.

Symmetrical Views at Place Royale

Place Royale is a classic example of eighteenth-century urban planning in the heart of Reims. The square features a large statue of King Louis XV surrounded by very symmetrical stone buildings. This location is perfect for photographers who love geometric lines and balanced visual compositions. You will find many famous Reims landmarks within a short walk of this central square.

The architecture here reflects the elegance of the Enlightenment period with its uniform facades and windows. You should stand in the center of the square to capture the perfect symmetry of the streets. Early morning light illuminates the buildings evenly and creates a very clean and professional look. The square is often empty before nine in the morning which is great for photos.

The surrounding streets are filled with upscale shops and cafes that offer great lifestyle photo opportunities. You can capture the local French culture as people enjoy their morning coffee on the sidewalk. Use a shallow depth of field to focus on the cafe tables with the square behind. This area provides a very chic and sophisticated atmosphere for your travel photography gallery.

At night the square is lit by traditional street lamps that create a very romantic mood. The long exposure shots will capture the light trails from the occasional cars passing through. You can experiment with different white balance settings to get the perfect warm yellow glow. Place Royale remains one of the most elegant and photogenic spots in the entire city.

Discover Art Deco Gems in Reims

Reims was heavily damaged during the First World War and was rebuilt in the 1920s. This resulted in a high concentration of beautiful Art Deco buildings throughout the city center. The Carnegie Library is a prime example of this style with its stunning geometric entrance. Explore the Reims Art Deco buildings to see the incredible detail in the ironwork.

The Opera House also features many Art Deco elements that look fantastic in your architectural photos. Look for the ornate balconies and the stylized lettering on the older shop signs nearby. These buildings offer a unique visual history that is very different from the Gothic cathedral. The pastel colors of the facades look best during the soft light of a cloudy day.

You can find many hidden Art Deco details if you look up at the rooflines. Many architects used floral patterns and geometric shapes to decorate the top of the apartment blocks. These details are perfect for zoom lens shots that highlight the craftsmanship of the era. The Cours Langlet is a great street to start your Art Deco photo tour.

The interior of the Carnegie Library is especially famous for its beautiful Art Deco stained glass. You should ask for permission before taking photos of the reading rooms and the bookshelves. The symmetry and the light in this building are a dream for every architectural photographer. This style of architecture gives Reims a very modern and stylish character today.

Lush Landscapes in Parc de Champagne

Parc de Champagne is the largest public park in the city and offers beautiful natural scenery. You will find wide green lawns and tall trees that change color with the seasons. This park is the perfect place for landscape photography or a relaxing outdoor photo shoot. The park is located near the famous champagne cellars on the edge of the city.

In the spring the park is filled with colorful flowers and blooming trees for your photos. You can find quiet paths that lead to small statues and hidden garden benches. The late afternoon light filters through the leaves to create a very magical glowing effect. This is a great spot for taking a break from the busy city streets.

The park also hosts many outdoor events and sports activities during the warm summer months. You can capture the local people enjoying picnics or playing games on the large grass fields. This provides a great opportunity for candid lifestyle photography in a very natural French setting. The park remains open until sunset which allows for great evening landscape shots.

Admission to the park is free and it is very easy to reach by bus. You should bring a tripod to capture the still water in the small decorative ponds. The park offers a peaceful contrast to the stone architecture found in the urban center. It is one of the best photography spots Reims has for nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best photography spot in Reims?

The Reims Cathedral is widely considered the top location for photographers in the city. Its Gothic architecture and stunning light make it a perfect subject for any camera. Arrive early to capture the facade without any crowds of tourists in your frame.

Where can I find street art in Reims?

You can find amazing murals at the Le Mur project located in the city center. This area features rotating artworks from talented local and international urban artists throughout the year. You should follow the Reims instagram architecture photo guide for the latest locations.

Is photography allowed inside champagne cellars?

Most champagne houses allow photography but usually prohibit the use of a flash or tripods. Check with the staff before you start taking photos in the dark underground tunnels. The low light creates a moody atmosphere that is perfect for artistic wine photography.

When is the best time for photography in Reims?

Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather and beautiful natural colors for your outdoor shots. The morning light in 2025 provides soft shadows that enhance the historical texture of buildings. Winter also offers unique moody scenes if you visit during the festive Christmas market.

Reims is a city that perfectly blends ancient history with modern urban creativity for photographers. You will find endless inspiration among the Gothic cathedrals and the colorful street art murals. Start planning your 2025 photography trip to this beautiful French city in the Champagne region today. Do not forget to bring extra memory cards for all the amazing shots you will take.

Key Takeaways

Visit the Reims Cathedral during the golden hour for the best light.
Explore the Le Mur project for vibrant and modern street art murals.
Look for Art Deco details in the rebuilt areas of the city center.
Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full scale of historic monuments.