Cathédrale Notre-Dame

Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Reims is a Gothic cathedral in northeastern France featuring stone vaults, pointed arches, and flying buttresses on its exterior walls. Inside, thousands of carved stone figures fill niches and surfaces, while large windows display stained glass from different artistic periods.

Building began in the 13th century, and the cathedral served from 815 to 1825 as the coronation site for French monarchs, including Charles VII with Joan of Arc present. German artillery fire heavily damaged the structure during World War I, leading to extensive restoration work afterward.

The cathedral's name honors the Virgin Mary, and visitors today can see the famous Smiling Angel sculpture and colorful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall created in the 1970s. These artworks shape the interior atmosphere and represent different artistic periods within the sacred space.

The cathedral is open daily from early morning, with guided tours in multiple languages offered at the reception desk near the main entrance. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and keep in mind that services still take place here, so quiet behavior is expected.

After heavy shelling during World War I, the cathedral was repaired using reinforced concrete in its framework, creating an unusual blend of historic stone and modern materials. These repairs remain largely hidden from exterior view, but the internal structure tells the story of wartime damage and reconstruction.

Location: Reims

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Pl. du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims, France

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:00-19:30; Sunday 08:00-19:15

Phone: +33326475534

Website: https://cathedrale-reims.com

GPS coordinates: 49.25377,4.03382

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:41