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.
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 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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