Reims Cathedral, Gothic cathedral in Reims, France
Description
Notre-Dame de Reims is a Gothic place of worship in the heart of the city in northeastern France. The building extends over a length of 149 meters (489 feet) with a central nave whose vaults rise high above visitors, while three richly decorated portals with detailed sculptures adorn the entrance.
History
The foundation stone was laid in 1211 after a fire destroyed the previous church, and construction continued into the 14th century. The site became the coronation location for French rulers, with the ceremony for Charles VII taking place in 1429 in the presence of Joan of Arc.
Culture
The name of the building comes from the Latin Durocortorum, the ancient term for the city itself. Visitors still attend regular services and organ performances here, while the west facade with its many saint figures once served as a stone bible for those who could not read.
Practical
The building opens daily for visitors, with mornings typically less crowded than afternoons. Guided tours help in understanding the architecture and historical connections, while the windows display best on sunny days.
Did you know?
An angel with an open smile, known as the smiling angel, adorns the west facade and was restored after its damage in the First World War. The towers also house an astronomical mechanism that once served to determine Easter dates.
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Reims is a city where different historical periods naturally exist side by side, making it a favorite for photographers. Churches and palaces from the Middle Ages stand near Roman ruins, while underground caves have been turned into champagne cellars. These underground spaces offer special settings,...
Cathédrale de Reims
0 m
Palace of Tau
101 m
Smiling Angel
30 m
Labyrinth of the Reims Cathedral
58 m
Carnegie Library of Reims
169 m
Museum of Fine Arts of Reims
177 m
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
46 m
Equestrian statue of Joan of Arc
131.9 km
Falala Library
123 m
Palais de Justice, Reims
142 m
Abbaye Saint-Denis de Reims
174 m
Equestrian statue of Joan of Arc
76 m
Ancienne église st-Michel de Reims
119 m
Porte de la cour du chapitre
162 mOffice de tourisme du Grand Reims
138 m
Salles basses de l'hôtel-Dieu de Reims
142 m
Chapel of the Palace of Tau
113 m
Porte de Vénus
184 mOrgue de tribune de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
63 m
Immeuble, 1975 avenue Albert-Einstein
184 m
Porte de la Pourcelette
109 mImmeuble, 1 rue Colbert
95 mHenri Deneux
142 mPansement de rue, Ememem
180 mWork of art
124 mAncien Hôtel-Dieu
111 mStatue Andrew Carnegie
181 mEdmond Marin la Meslée,
67 m
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