Reims Cathedral of Notre-Dame

Reims Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims

Reims Cathedral known as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims is situated on the Vesle River east-northeast of Paris, built between 1211 and 1516 under the auspices of Archbishop Aubry de Humbert and designer Jean d’Orbais. The Cathedral was built to replace the old church which was destroyed by fire in 1210.

The Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and one of the most important buildings in the country’s history, its the location where the kings of France were crowned, between 1027 and 1825. Reims Cathedral is owned by the state, the state directs the renovation and daily maintenance when its necessary.

During World War II the Germans bombed the Cathedral to demoralise the French Population by destroying symbolic buildings and monuments. Reims Cathedral was targeted by over 28 artillery shells. After the war ended, reconstruction started in 1919, a number of improvements were made to the previous design and structure, the oak-wood roof was replaced by non-flammable materials.

In 2011, Reims Cathedral celebrated its 800th anniversary. The celebrations ran from 6 May to 23 October. Six new stained glass windows designed by Imi Knoebel, a German artist, were inaugurated on June 25, 2011.

Reims Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims is one of the first monuments registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reims Cathedral Interior
Reims Cathedral Interior

Kings crowned at Reims Cathedral

Name Year by Archbishop
Henry I 1027 Ebles I of Roucy
Philip I 1059 Gervais de Château-du-Loir
Philip of France 1129 Renaud de Martigné
Louis VII 1131 Pope Innocent II
Philip II 1179 William of the White Hands
Louis VIII 1223 William of Joinville
Louis IX 1226 Jacques de Bazoches
Philip III 1271 Milon de Bazoches
Philip IV 1286 Pierre Barbet
Louis X 1315 Robert de Courtenay-Champignelles
Philip V 1317 Robert de Courtenay-Champignelles
Charles IV 1322 Robert de Courtenay-Champignelles
Philip VI 1328 Guillaume de Trie
John II 1350 Jean de Vienne
Charles V 1364 Jean III de Craon
Charles VI 1380 Richard Picque
Charles VII 1429 Regnault de Chartres
Louis XI 1461 Jean Juvénal des Ursins
Charles VIII 1484 Pierre de Laval
Louis XII 1498 Guillaume Briçonnet
Francis I 1515 Robert de Lenoncourt
Henry II 1547 Charles of Lorraine
Francis II 1559 Charles of Lorraine
Charles IX 1561 Charles of Lorraine
Henry III 1575 Louis I of Guise
Louis XIII 1610 François de Joyeuse
Louis XIV 1654 Simon Legras
Louis XV 1722 Armand Jules de Rohan-Guéméné
Louis XVI 1775 Charles Antoine de La Roche-Aymon
Charles X 1825 Jean-Baptiste de Latil
Reims Cathedral ceiling
Reims Cathedral

Reims Cathedral Contact Information

Telephone: | Official Website |

How To Get There

Gare de Reims Train Station is located only 10 minutes away from the Cathedral.

From Paris to Reims Cathedral by car, take the A4, Follow A4 to Boulevard Louis Roederer in Reims. Take exit 23-Reims-Centre from A344, Continue on Boulevard Louis Roederer. Take Boulevard Joffre to Rue de la Grosse Écritoire.

Leaving from Gare de l’Est in Paris, the TGV will take you to Reims in 45 minutes.

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 AM – 19:30 PM
Tuesday 07:30 AM – 19:30 PM
Wednesday 07:30 AM – 19:30 PM
Thursday 07:30 AM – 19:30 PM
Friday 07:30 AM – 19:30 PM
Saturday 07:30 AM – 19:30 PM
Sunday 07:30 AM – 19:15 PM

Access is no longer allowed a quarter of an hour before closing.

Admission

Free Entry.

Information

  • Construction started in 1211.
  • Completed in 1275.
  • Height: 81 m.
  • Architectural styles: Gothic architecture, French Gothic architecture.
  • Architects: Jean d’Orbais, Jean-le-Loup, Gaucher of Reims & Bernard de Soissons.
  • Architectural type: Church.
  • Style: French Gothic.

Nearby Things To Do

Palais du Tau is right next to the Reims Cathedral, It’s the Former bishops’ residence, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing statues from the cathedral. Museum of Fine Arts, an 18th-century setting for paintings & furniture, including works by Cranach, Corot & toiles peintes, is located only 2 minutes from the cathedral. Place Royale is a Landmark city square surrounded by quaint buildings, with a monument to Louis XV in the centre.

WHERE TO STAY IN REIMS

Nearby places to stay as cheap as possible budget under £100/$100/€100:

  • Holiday Inn Reims Centre Located just 400 yards from Reims Convention Centre, Holiday Inn Reims Centre is ideally located in the historic centre of Reims, and it features the only panoramic restaurant in Reims and a bar. check price.
  • La Demeure des Sacres Located in the centre of Reims, La Demeure des Sacres is set in a 20th-Century property and offers boutique-style accommodation with a large garden. The Reims Cathedral is just 350 yards from the B&B and Reims Convention Centre is a 10-minute walk away. check price.
  • Logis Hôtel Au Tambour Located 1,000 yards from Reims city centre, this Logis Hotel is just a 15-minute walk from the town centre, train station and Reims Champagne Congrès. It offers a heated outdoor swimming pool and private parking in garages. Check Price.

Nearby places to stay at a budget price over £100:

  • Grand Hôtel Des Templiers located in Reims, just a 15-minute walk to the city centre and an 8-minute drive from Reims Convention Centre. It features an indoor swimming pool and a sauna. Check Price.
  • Les Suites Champenoises is set in Tinqueux in the Champagne – Ardenne Region, 2.7 miles from Reims city centre. Offering 2 sun terraces and a hot tub. Check Price

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LOCATION

Address: Place du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims, France | Coordinates: 49°15′13″N 4°2′3″E

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Reims Cathedral
Reims Cathedral