How to Enjoy Reims Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Reims, or Reims Cathedral, is a Gothic-era cathedral dating to the early 13th century. It was constructed to replace a fifth-century church, which was destroyed by fire in 1211. Reims Cathedral has hosted the coronation of 24 kings of France, beginning with Louis VIII in 1223 and continuing on to Charles X in 1825. It is said that Joan of Arc attended the coronation of Charles VII at Reims in 1429. Today, visitors can tour the nave, see the statuary and walk in the steps of French history.
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Instructions
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See the Gallery of Kings. On the upper level of the cathedral's western façade, directly above the Great Rose Window, visitors will fine the Gallery of Kings. This gallery offers stone effigies of 56 kings of France, flanking a depiction of the baptism of Clovis I, first King of the Franks. Surrounded by nearly 2,300 other decorative statues, it is one of Reims' most notable features and an excellent example of Gothic-era workmanship.
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Explore the interior. The interior of the cathedral is exceptionally large, measuring more than 455 feet in length, 98 feet in width and nearly 125 feet in height. These dimensions make Reims larger than either Chartres Cathedral or Amiens Cathedral. Elements of the interior include a nave with aisles, north and south transepts with aisles, a choir with double aisles and an apse with ambulatory and radiating chapels. The interior also features many brilliant tapestries, masterpiece-quality artwork, a flamboyant Gothic organ and even a stained glass window designed by Marc Chagall.
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See the Great Rose Window. The center portal, on the west facade, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features a stunning 13th-century window. The window shows the Virgin Mary surrounded by apostles and numerous angel musicians, and is set within a larger window, which was common in 13th-century architecture. This feature took the place of the tympanum, which would have occupied this space under previous construction styles. The Great Rose Window is best viewed at sunset, when the light illuminates every feature of the stained glass.
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Visit the Palais du Tau. Directly adjoining the cathedral, visitors will find the Palais du Tau, which served as the home of the archbishop. This 17th-century palace hosted future kings of France on the night prior to their coronation, as well as presenting the royal banquet following the ceremony. The palace is also home to a museum, which houses statuary and tapestries from the cathedral.
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Tips & Warnings
The cathedral is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Admission to the cathedral is free of charge. Rising to the height of more than 260 feet, binoculars or a zoom lens on a camera will allow visitors a closer view of the cathedral's exterior features.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, Reims Cathedral hosts more than 500,000 visitors per year, which can often cause crowded conditions.
