Reims Cathedral, Gothic cathedral in Reims, France
Notre-Dame de Reims is a High Gothic cathedral in Reims, its pale grey-beige stone facade flanked by two massive flat-topped towers pierced by long narrow openings. Rows of carved figures stand in shallow niches across the upper wall around a large circular rose window, and three deep pointed portals open at ground level, the central one widest, each with a smaller circular window inside its arch.
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.
The name Notre-Dame de Reims means "Our Lady of Reims," referring to the Virgin Mary, to whom the cathedral is dedicated. The west facade's carved figures, including the smiling angel, served as a stone bible for those who could not read. The cathedral remains an active place of worship with regular services.
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.
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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