The Boulingrin area of Reims, just a five-minute walk from the station and very near the center, is the latest up-and-coming quarter of the lively capital of the Champagne region. And standing center stage is the newly renovated Belle Epoque Halles du Boulingrin.
The glass and concrete structure with its splendid thin concrete domed roof (just 7cm or 3 inches thick) was built in 1927 as a huge covered market after the architect Emile Maigrot and the engineer Eugene Freyssinet won a competition for its construction. It was finally closed in 1988 but luckily not demolished. Today the grand building dominates the area. It's back to its original pupose - re-opened as a market on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with an exhibition space for a series of exciting events.
The Boulingrin area is delightful, with good hotels, restaurants and bars buzzing late into the night.