Reims Tourist Attractions
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The historic city of Reims (in the English traditional spelling Rheims), the place of coronation of the French kings, the see of a bishop from the fourth century (and now of an archbishop), lies in northern Champagne, some 150km/95mi northeast of Paris on the right bank of the little river Vesle.
Reims Cathedral
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims is masterpiece of High Gothic architecture. The magnificent facade features endless details, and relief work in the interior gives a true sense of 13th C artistry.
Palais du Tau à Reims
In Reims, adjoining the Cathedral is the former Bishop's Palace, now occupied by the Cathedral Museum, with the originals of many statues from the Cathedral, 15th C. Arras tapestries and other items from the cathedral treasury. Here too are the royal apartments, in which the king lived during the coronation ceremonies.
Museum of Fine Arts
In Reims, to the west of Place du Cardinal- Luçon, in the former Abbaye de St-Denis (18th C.), is the Musée des Beaux Arts, a large municipal collection of paintings, sculpture, antiquities and applied art. Particularly notable are 10 16th C. tapestries depicting the story of St Rémi, a number of portraits (mostly of Saxon Electors and their wives) by the elder and the younger Cranach, and the so-called toiles peintres (15th and 16th C. paintings).
Town Center
The elongated Place Drouet-d-Erlon forms the busy town center in Reims. At its southern end stands the 12th-16th C. church of St-Jacques; inside can be seen modern windows by Vieira da Silva. On its northern side Place Drouet-d'Erlon opens into Square Colbert. A bronze statue (1860) is in memory of the Reims-born statesman Jean Baptiste Colbert (1619-83).The Chapelle Notre Dame de la Paix, in Rue Champs-du-Mars, was consecrated in 1966, and was decorated by the Japanese artist Léonard Foujita (1886-1968).
Salle du Guerre
In Reims, in the Collège Technique, in Rue Franklin Roosevelt behind the railroad station, visitors can see the Salle de Guerre, where the Germans surrendered on May 7 1945.
Hôtel de Ville
In Reims, south of the Place de la République is the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville), built in 1627- 1630 (restored). Rue Colbert leads to the Place du Forum, where part of the Roman forum has been excavated.At the northeast corner of the square stands the Hôtel le Vergeur (1522, extended in the 17th and 18th C.), with the municipal museum. To the south lies Place Royale, surrounded by buildings in the classical style, with a bronze statue of Louis XV by Pigalle, restored by Catellier in 1818. Further westwards along Rue Carnot are the Palais de Justice (1846) and the Theater (1875).
Porte de Mars
On the large Place de la République in Reims is the imposing Porte de Mars, a Roman triumphal arch (A.D. third century), which served as a town gate until 1544. It was fully exposed to view by the removal of adjoining buildings in 1817.
Automobile Museum
This Automobile Museum, in the district of Les Coutures, displays 130 vehicles, together with an unusual collection of toy cars.Rheims was the former site of a automobile endurance race performed on public roads in the manner of the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Due to safety considerations, the race is no longer run.
St Rémi
In Reims, on the south side of the town is the former abbey church of St Rémi, the oldest church in Reims and one of the finest Early Romanesque churches in northern France. It was built between 1005 and 1049 on the site of an earlier Carolingian church and was given a Gothic vaulted roof in 1162-1182. The choir and the west front are Early Gothic, the south transept Late Gothic (c 1506). The church, which was badly damaged during the First World War, contains the tomb of St Rémi (Remigius).
Joan of Arc Festival
This is one of three festivals dedicated to this beloved French saint (the other two are in Orléans and Rouen). This festival celebrates the Saint's return of the Dauphin for the coronation of Charles VII. The festive atmosphere is evident in processions, pageants and other street celebrations.
Musée St Rémi
This historical museum, in the old conventual buildings adjoining St Rémi church (13th, 17th and 18th C.), also includes a collection of material on the military history of the region down to 1870.
Reims-Cedex - Les Sacres du Folklore
This annual festival brings together folk singers, musicians and dancers from across the globe. The six-day festival usually takes place in mid June and also includes conferences.
Map of Reims Attractions
Map - Reims
