Reims has taken to calling itself ‘the city of a thousand smiles’ and, between champagne and historic charm, you’ll find plenty to cheer you here. The city’s Gothic cathedral was the traditional coronation place of French monarchs and its exterior is adorned with thousands of statues, including some famously jolly angels. (Nearby, the Palais du Tau museum shelters more original sculptures damaged during first world war shelling). Cathedral tours are conducted in season, or you can hire an audioguide from a selection at the tourist office: among the trails, there’s now one covering the city’s impressive art deco heritage. But champagne alone is quite enough to justify a jaunt here. Some 300 million bottles of bubbly are produced in Reims and the neighbouring town of Epernay every year. Not all champagne houses offer tours; notable ones that do include Moët & Chandon and Mercier in Epernay, and Pommery in Reims. Descending into the chilly, damp cellars, you’ll discover the fascinating process involved in making the tipple of toffs, and tours conclude with a tasting. It’s easy to make your own arrangements; alternatively, Reims Tourist Office (www.reims-tourisme.com) now offers champagne tour packages.