Tram systems in Reims
Reims is situated in the Grand Est region of northeastern France and is one of the principal centres of the Champagne-producing region. The city is closely associated with the coronation of French kings, many of whom were crowned in its Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims. Its historic monuments and Champagne houses remain central to the city’s identity.
Public transport in Reims and the surrounding urban community is provided under the Grand Reims Mobilités brand. The network combines two tram lines with urban and interurban buses, demand-responsive transport and services for passengers with reduced mobility. Park-and-ride sites provide connections into the network from the outskirts.
The tramway serves both Reims’ central railway station and Champagne-Ardenne TGV station in neighbouring Bezannes, providing interchange with regional and high-speed rail services. Buses extend coverage to districts and surrounding communities beyond the tram routes.
Reims’ modern tram system opened in April 2011. Its two lines, T1 and T2, share a common north–south corridor through much of the city before separating towards their southern termini.
Line T1 links Neufchâtel in northern Reims with Hôpital Debré in the south. Line T2 also serves Neufchâtel, sharing the route through the city centre before continuing to Gare Champagne-Ardenne TGV in Bezannes. Both lines serve Gare Centre and Opéra-Cathédrale, connecting the main railway station with the central shopping area and the vicinity of the cathedral.
Grand Reims Mobilités — Transdev
The Grand Reims Mobilités network is operated by Transdev on behalf of the Grand Reims urban community, the transport authority. Grand Reims Mobilités is the public-facing brand covering the tramway and the wider public transport network.
Reims’ first tramway opened in 1881, using horse-drawn vehicles. The routes connected the railway station, central streets and outlying districts, with Place Royale forming an important meeting point in the network. Electric trams began replacing horse traction in 1900, and further routes followed during the early twentieth century.
The tramway suffered extensive damage during the First World War, alongside much of the city. The network was rebuilt after the conflict, restoring electric tram services as Reims recovered.
During the 1930s, the city began replacing trams with buses, with the first bus route introduced in 1932. The remaining tram services were progressively withdrawn, and the original network closed in 1939. Public transport subsequently relied on buses for more than seven decades.
A proposal for a modern tramway developed during the 1980s, following the revival of tram systems elsewhere in France. The project reached an advanced stage, with a route intended to open in 1994, but was abandoned in 1991 before construction began.
The idea was revived during the early 2000s. In 2006, Reims Métropole signed a concession agreement with MARS — Mobilité Agglomération Rémoise, covering the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the new tramway. Construction began in March 2008, accompanied by changes to streets and public spaces along the route.
The modern tramway was inaugurated on 16 April 2011, returning trams to Reims after an absence of approximately 72 years. The new network comprised two services, originally designated A and B, linking central Reims with the northern districts, Hôpital Debré and Champagne-Ardenne TGV station in Bezannes.
The opening was accompanied by a reorganisation of the bus network around the tramway, creating connections between the new rail corridor and areas beyond its reach. The tram project also contributed to the redevelopment of streets, squares and residential districts along its route.
On 24 November 2025, the two tram lines were redesignated T1 and T2, replacing the original names A and B respectively.
Reims currently has 2 tram lines, which are listed below.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| T1 | Line T1 runs between Neufchâtel and Hôpital Debré via Gare Centre, Opéra-Cathédrale and Campus Croix Rouge. |
| T2 | Line T2 runs between Neufchâtel and Gare Champagne TGV via Gare Centre, Opéra-Cathédrale and Campus Croix Rouge. |
The Reims tramway uses standard-gauge track (1,435 mm). The network is predominantly double-track and runs at surface level, combining dedicated tram corridors with sections integrated into streets and pedestrian areas. Much of the reserved track has a grassed surface, while paved sections are used through the city centre.
The two lines share most of their infrastructure before separating south of Arago. The route towards Hôpital Debré remains double-track, while the branch towards Champagne-Ardenne TGV includes single-track sections through Bezannes.
The depot and maintenance centre is located in Bezannes, alongside the TGV station branch near Léon Blum. It provides stabling and workshop facilities for the tram fleet and houses the central control facilities for the tram and bus networks.
The network operates at 750 V DC, using overhead wires on the outer sections and Alstom’s APS ground-level power supply through approximately 1.9 kilometres of central Reims, between Schneiter and Comédie. This allows trams to pass through the historic centre without overhead wires.
APS supplies electricity through a segmented conductor rail between the running rails. Only the sections beneath a tram are energised. The vehicles are equipped to use both systems, collecting current through a roof-mounted pantograph on the overhead sections and collector shoes on the APS section.
The fleet comprises 18 Alstom Citadis 302 trams, introduced for the modern network’s opening in 2011. The same fleet serves both lines.
| Type | Fleet | Approximate length | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alstom Citadis 302 | 18 | 32.4 m | Five-section articulated tram with a fully low-floor interior and APS equipment |
The vehicles are 2.4 metres wide, with driving cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, allowing them to reverse at termini without turning loops. Passenger facilities include air conditioning, wheelchair spaces and audible and visual stop information.
The distinctive cab fronts were designed to evoke a Champagne flute, reflecting the city’s association with Champagne production. The original colour scheme, created by designer Ruedi Baur, used a palette of eight colours across the tram and bus fleets.