Le Café de la Paix sits on the place Drouet d'Erlon, the main pedestrian boulevard at the heart of Reims in the Champagne region of Grand Est. The address is Reims' most social square — a long, tree-lined pedestrian street flanked by cafés, brasseries, and shops that forms the city's gathering point from morning through late evening. The Café de la Paix occupies a traditional café-brasserie format: a large covered terrace facing the square, a brasserie dining room behind it, and a menu that covers the café classics from morning through midnight. The food is unpretentious: a croque-monsieur is executed reliably; salade niçoise is the most ordered light lunch; and biscuits roses de Reims served with a coupe de champagne represents the most quintessentially local combination on the menu — the pale-pink finger biscuits are a Reims specialty dating to the 17th century and are traditionally dipped into champagne. Prices are the lowest of any serious table on the square: mains cost €9 to €18, making this one of the most accessible ways to eat and drink in a proper setting in Reims. The restaurant opens daily from 08:00 to midnight. The terrace is the primary attraction — a front-row seat to the social life of the city, with the champagne available by the glass, flute, or bottle at honest brasserie prices.
Signature dishes
- Croque-monsieur
- Salade niçoise
- Biscuits roses de Reims avec coupe de champagne
Good to know
- Known for
- Classic brasserie on Reims' main pedestrian square; best terrace for people-watching with a glass of champagne
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–00:00
- Reservations
- Not required
Location
11 place Drouet d'Erlon, 51100 Reims
49.2584, 4.0278 View on map
Highlights
- Best terrace on the place Drouet d'Erlon — Reims' main pedestrian boulevard for people-watching
- Biscuits roses de Reims with a coupe de champagne: the most local combination on any Reims menu
- Open 08:00–midnight daily; one of the most flexible addresses in the city
- Accessible prices (€9–€18 mains) making champagne-by-the-glass dining available at brasserie cost
- Central position within walking distance of the cathedral and major champagne house cellars
Tips for visiting
- The biscuits roses de Reims with champagne is the definitive Reims café ritual — order it for a classic local moment
- Terrace tables fill by 12:30 for lunch and 19:30 for dinner; arrive 15 minutes before the rush
- A glass of blanc de blancs champagne (under €12) is better value here than at any champagne house tasting room
- The croque-monsieur at breakfast (from 08:00) with a café crème is one of the better café breakfasts in central Reims
- The place Drouet d'Erlon becomes most animated between 17:00 and 20:00 — the best time for a terrace aperitif
When to visit
Spring and summer for the terrace experience. The late-afternoon hour (17:00–19:00) is the most animated for a champagne aperitif. The biscuits roses pairing is enjoyable year-round.
Accessibility
The café is on the ground floor with access directly from the pedestrianised place Drouet d'Erlon. The terrace and dining room are on a single level. The surrounding pedestrian boulevard is flat and accessible.
Frequently asked questions
What are biscuits roses de Reims?
Biscuits roses are pale-pink finger-shaped biscuits flavoured with vanilla and coloured with cochineal, first produced in Reims in the 17th century. They are traditionally dipped into champagne or sweet wine and are one of the most distinctive local food products in the Champagne region.
Is the café worth visiting for a full meal?
For a full sit-down meal the food is reliable brasserie cooking but not exceptional. The café is best for breakfast, a light lunch on the terrace, or an afternoon champagne aperitif with biscuits roses. For dinner, the terrace atmosphere and central location compensate for the straightforward kitchen.
What is the price range?
Mains run €9 to €18. Champagne by the glass starts at around €10. A complete lunch with a flute of champagne costs approximately €25–€35 per person.
Is the café near the cathedral?
Yes — the place Drouet d'Erlon is a 10-minute walk from the Reims cathedral, the Basilica of Saint-Remi, and the major champagne house cellars including Taittinger and Ruinart.
Is the café accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
The ground-floor café and terrace are accessible from the pedestrianised place Drouet d'Erlon. The flat pedestrian square is well suited to wheelchair access.