Reims, the city of coronations where most of the French kings were anointed, is also the capital of the region of Champagne, whose wine enjoys a worldwide reputation.

 

According to the legend, the city was established by Remus, brother of Romulus, Ancient Rome's founder. In the heart of the Marne département in the Champagne-Ardennes region, Reims benefits from an exceptional location. At the outskirts of the Paris basin on the Paris-Strasbourg axis and close to neighbouring countries Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, Reims is a stopover city visited by many tourists.

 

Clovis' baptism

Classified as a city of art and history, Reims has been marked by numerous historical events. The baptism of Clovis, King of Franks, is probably the first of note. It took place during Christmas 498 at the current location of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The divine right of kings will reign supreme following the baptism, up until the French Revolution in 1789.

 

The City of Coronation

The coronation of Louis the Pious happened in 816, the first in the history of Reims. The ceremony would traditionally last five hours and was celebrated in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The most memorable coronation was Charles VII's, taken to Reims by Joan of Arc on July 17, 1429. Up until 1855, a total of thirty-three sovereigns were crowned.

 

Reims and Champagne

Surrounded by chalky soils, on which the sun is never halted, Reims has become the capital of Champagne. A drink of prestige, renowned throughout the world, Champagne has a very active Protected Designation of Origin status. It is associated with luxury and celebrations. Many visits are dedicated to the elaboration of this mythical wine in caves of chalk, some of the older ones dating back to the Gallo-Roman era, the most famous vaults being Mumm's, Moët et Chandon's or Veuve Cliquot's. 

 

Reims and its heritage

 The city of Reims has several monuments on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

 

• The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, built in the XIIIth century, was where the coronation of most of French kings took place. It is one of the major works in Gothic Art, for its architecture as well as its 2,303-statue statuary.

 

• The Palace of Tau, erected between 1498 and 1509 then rebuilt after a fire on September 9th, 1914, takes its name from the plan of the building resembling the letter T (tau in the Greek alphabet). It was the residence of French kings during the coronation.

 

• Saint-Rémi Basilica, built circa year 1000, is the most famous monument in Reims after the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, rivalling it in terms of sheer size. It houses relics of Bishop Saint-Rémi, who baptized Clovis in 496.