Reims, also spelt Rheims, is an historic city that is known for the impressive 13th century Cathedral Notre Dame de Reims which is considered to be a masterpiece of Gothic art and which dominates the city’s skyline with its impressive towers. Reims is also known worldwide as the capital of the champagne region of France, and for these reasons alone has become a major tourist destination. Located just 130 kilometres north-east of Paris, Reims stands in a plain on the banks of the Vesle River, and towards the south of the city the land rises to the Regional Nature Park of the Montagne de Reims and the champagne wine trail. Home to almost 190,000 residents ensures that the city is the largest within the sparsely populated Champagne-Ardenne Region of northern France, and makes an ideal base from which to explore this rural region. The city with its wide avenues, tended parks and many outstanding statues, fountains and monuments, lies at the centre of the Marne department, a generally, gentle, rural area of plains and rolling hills, bisected by rivers and lakes, and covered in farmlands, vineyards and forests.
Reims suffered greatly during the ‘Great War’ with the cathedral being severely damaged due to constant hostilities. However after much work the Cathedral is again a truly elegant building and recognised by its listing as part of a U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site for its harmonious architecture. Constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, the cathedral’s west front consists of three portals surrounded by sculptured arches, a rose window with superb stained glass and two matching towers which reach to 81 metres. Complimented by over 2,300 statues, one of which is the notable ‘Smiling Angel”, the Cathedral displays one of the richest bodies of sculpture of any Gothic church second only to the Cathedral of Chartres. Notre Dame de Reims glories in a rich heritage which has witnessed the coronation of the Kings of France since 1027. Associated with the cathedral are the 9th century former Abbey of Saint Remi which retains its 12th century stained glass windows, and the Palace of Tau, the former archiepiscopal and royal residence which is linked to the coronation of 32 Kings of France. The palace, which is located adjacent to the cathedral, includes the Chapel which houses a portion of the screen from the cathedral dating from the 15th century, the Hall of Tau where the King held their wedding banquets, and the Museum of Work which exhibits many sacred objects. The cathedral, palace and abbey together constitute the U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site. In addition to these historic attractions, Riems stands at the centre of the region’s champagne production and is located on the Route du Champagne that runs around the famous Sacred Triangle of Champagne. The Route de Champagne passes 26 wine producers and links the towns of Epernay, Reims and Chalons en Champagne which are the main centres of the champagne district. Within this area it is possible to visit some of the charming villages which produce this famous sparkling white wine, experience the heritage, and see the vineyards and cellars of some of the great names in the champagne industry. Located just a few kilometres north of Epernay is found Hautvillers Abbey where the now famous Dom Perignon, who is frequently and incorrectly accredited with the creation of champagne, spent a great deal of time working with the vines and wines. He instigated a great deal of methodology into the care of the vines, in an attempt to produce quality rather than quantity, and the picking process, and thus started improvements within the industry.
Reims is a large city with many good restaurants, lively bars and comfortable hotels, and offers visitors all the comforts of home. If time permits there are several places within the city which are worth having a look at such as the Roman ruins of the Porte de Mars which is a triumphal arch and served as the city gate until the 16th century, and the 3rd century Cryptoporticus – the Surrender Museum which stands on the spot where General Eisenhower and the Allied Forces accepted the unconditional surrender of the German forces in 1945 – Museum of Fine Arts which exhibits a large collection of paintings, especially from the Renaissance period, sculptures and antiquities - Automobile Museum which houses approximately 140 vehicles dating from the 1920’s to the 1970’s, plus a unique collection of toy cars – the 17th century Hotel de Ville – and the Museum of St Remi which contains tapestries, furniture, jewellery, pottery, glasswork and ancient weapons, and includes a permanent exhibition of military equipment.
|