The beautiful European city that used to be France's capital just 45 minutes from Paris

is home to some of the most beautiful spots, many of which have yet to be explored by most intrepid travellers.

The least visited and lesser-known regions in this country offer great food, a rich and interesting history and, best of all, a distinct lack of crowds.

One region in is proud to boast that it was once the capital of the country and is the leader of champagne production, with Veuve Clicquot, Lanson and Taittinger all found here.

Along with Épernay and Ay, you will find the city of Reims a must-see spot if visiting thanks to its walkable atmosphere, rich culture, lush vineyards as far as the eye can see and inspiring monuments.

Reims is a town of art and history with a host of unmissable sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage and it deserves a spot on your next French getaway.

Taking a trip on France's TGV high-speed train, you will find the region of Reims.

Located 45 minutes from Paris, Reims is the unofficial champagne capital of France, being the home to a number of champagne houses.

But champagne is not the only claim to fame for Reims, as the region was once the capital of France and is known as the "Coronation City".

Reims's interesting history also includes its founding by the Gauls and later becoming a major city in the Roman Empire.

The region played a prominent ceremonial role in French monarchical history, with its gothic cathedral, known as Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, being in the past the location used to crown French monarchs.

The UNESCO-designated site is a must-visit, with history seeping through every crevice of the building, telling tales of the countless French kings who were once crowned there before the French Revolution.

Today the cathedral is still greatly revered by the people of France, inspiring many to come and pay homage.

Other notable spots to enjoy in Reims include Palace of Tau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint-Remi Basilica, Porte de Mars, Fort de la Pompelle, Musée des Beaux-Arts and Place Royale.

For foodie lovers, you'll be in for a real treat, with a famous local speciality being Reims ham, which is made by cooking a pork shoulder and ham in stock with parsley, shallots and nutmeg, then coating it in yellow breadcrumbs.

Other mouth-watering delights include Biscuit rose de Reims and a simple stew that's a speciality of the Champagne-Ardennes region known as Potée Champenoise.

Those interested in visiting Coronation City can set off from London's St Pancras station and change in Paris to catch an SNCF train direct to Reims Ville.