Reims Cathedral, Gothic cathedral in Reims, France
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.
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 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.
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.
Location: Reims
Inception: 13 century
Architects: Jean d'Orbais
Official opening: 1275
Architectural style: Rayonnant
Height: 81 m
Part of: Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
Address: rue du Trésor
Email: accueil@reims-tourisme.com
Website: http://cathedrale-reims.com
GPS coordinates: 49.25356,4.03330
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01
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, away from natural light, where the walls tell the story of past centuries. Walking through the streets of Reims, you see finely crafted stone facades, decorative sculptures, and buildings that show each period of its building history. The Place Royale with its statue of Louis XV, the Town Hall in Renaissance style, the Reims Cathedral in Gothic, and the Sube Fountain with art deco shapes all show this flow of styles. The shady parks around the city offer green spots to rest and new views of the buildings. Surrounding Reims, the vineyards grow grapes for champagne and complete this historic view. The city invites slow exploration, where each corner holds something to find—an architecture detail, an underground opening, a Roman remnant. By wandering like this, you can see how Reims has changed over time and how its history is still visible in the current cityscape.
Cathédrale de Reims
0 m
Palace of Tau
101 m
Smiling Angel
30 m
Carnegie Library of Reims
169 m
Reims Opera House
195 m
Place Royale
236 m
Museum of Fine Arts of Reims
177 m
Equestrian statue of Joan of Arc
76 m
Falala Library
123 m
Palais de Justice, Reims
142 m
Abbaye Saint-Denis de Reims
174 m
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims
46 m
Couvent des Jacobins de Reims
234 m
Ancienne église st-Michel de Reims
119 m
Porte de la cour du chapitre
162 m
Equestrian statue of Joan of Arc
73 m
Salles basses de l'hôtel-Dieu de Reims
142 m
Chapel of the Palace of Tau
113 m
Porte de la Pourcelette
109 m
Porte de Vénus
184 m
Immeuble, 15 place Royale
246 m
Immeuble, 7 place Royale
240 m
Immeuble, 5 place Royale
238 m
Immeuble, 3 place Royale
239 m
Immeuble, 2 place Royale
185 m
Immeuble,1 place Royale
205 m
Immeuble, 1975 avenue Albert-Einstein
184 m
Immeuble, 5 place Royale
227 m
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