Cryptoportique de Reims, Roman underground gallery beneath Place du Forum in Reims, France
The Cryptoportique de Reims is a Roman underground structure beneath Place du Forum consisting of three U-shaped passages. The construction features barrel vaults and walls decorated with colored bands and stylized ornamental patterns.
Built around 100 CE during Roman times, this structure formed the northern section of the ancient forum. It stands as evidence of Roman settlement and urban development in the region two millennia ago.
The underground passages functioned as storage areas and meeting spaces where Romans conducted daily activities. They reveal how Roman society organized its work and social life below ground level.
The site is open for visitors from May through September, primarily on weekends and selected weekdays. Guided tours can be arranged to help you navigate the underground passages and understand the layout.
This is one of only about ten known cryptoporticus structures surviving from the entire Roman world. A notable feature is the original monumental staircase that turns at right angles above an altar bearing an imperial statue.
Location: Reims
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: 6 Pl. du Forum, 51100 Reims, France
Opening Hours: May-September Monday, Wednesday-Sunday 14:00-18:00
Phone: +33326777515
Website: https://reims-tourisme.com/cryptoportique/reims/pcu0000000000788
GPS coordinates: 49.25665,4.03395
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
The Grand Est displays a rich architectural and military heritage, from fortified structures like the Fort of Mutzig and the La Ferté ouvrage on the Maginot Line, to princely residences such as Château de Lunéville with its French gardens. The region also preserves religious sites like the Abbey of Sturzelbronn in the Vosges forests and the Jesuit College in Reims, founded in the early 17th century. Urban centers feature notable architectural complexes: the Kammerzell House in Strasbourg exemplifies 15th-century Alsatian half-timbered construction, while the Ducal Square in Charleville-Mézières reflects Renaissance urban planning. The Humanist Library in Sélestat holds over 150 medieval manuscripts and ancient books. Technical sites like the old Chappe telegraph tower in Saverne recall early communication history before the electric era. Historic parks, including that of Château de Pange with geometric gardens and stone bridges, offer pathways through centuries of landscape design.
Reims combines ancient monuments and modern structures for photography. The Notre-Dame Cathedral, Roman ruins, and champagne cellars offer varied settings. The city streets, parks, and architectural elements present photo opportunities from different periods. Local gardens, bridges, and the surrounding vineyards complete the range of settings for social media content.
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