Notre Dame de Reims is one of Europe’s great Gothic cathedrals. With flying buttresses aplenty and an enigmatic smiling angel, it is a must-see if you are touring the champagne houses of Reims.
To make the most of your visit to this architectural masterpiece, here are ten Reims Cathedral facts you should know before you go.
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1. Notre Dame de Reims has a long history
There has been a church on this site since around 400 AD. A memorial slab in the cathedral’s nave remembers the martyrdom of Saint Nicaise, its founding bishop, who was decapitated by the Vandals.
Around the year 500, Saint Remi baptised Clovis, King of the Franks, in the cathedral (a second slab in the nave commemorates this event). Clovis successfully established political and religious unity following the fall of the Roman Empire.
This early Christian church was replaced by a cathedral in the 9th century, which was rebuilt around 1150. What we see today is the result of work in the 13th century.
2. French kings were crowned here
Clovis was the first but not the last king to be crowned in Reims Cathedral.
With the exception of Louis VI, Henri IV, Louis XVIII and Louis-Philippe, every King of France was crowned here. The most famous coronation was that of Charles VII on 17 July 1429, with Joan of Arc at his side.
3. Its architecture set the mould for cathedrals to follow
Few cathedrals have been as architecturally influential as Reims Cathedral.
This is a supreme example of High Gothic architecture, incorporating several new architectural techniques not seen at the time it was built. The most notable is bar tracery, where bars or ribs are used as a decorative feature in windows and other openings.
4. Notre Dame de Reims is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Reims Cathedral was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1991, recognised for its architecture and sculptural decoration.
Other UNESCO-listed sites in Reims are the former Abbey of Saint-Remi, the Palace of Tau and the champagne crayeres.
5. Reims Cathedral has more than 2,300 statues across its facade
The statues across the cathedral’s façade are extraordinary in their number and detail.
Mary takes pride of place at the centre of the portal, while scenes from the life of Christ dominate the side gates and rose windows.
To the right of the central portal, scenes from the life of Mary lead up to her coronation. Apostles and prophets march around the door, and the left-hand portal depicts the Passion of Christ.
Look also at the north portal, where traces of the vivid colour that once covered these statues can still be seen.
6. Many of these statues have lost their heads
The French Revolution wasn’t kind to many of the sculptures on the lower levels of Reims Cathedral. In a grim warm-up act for later events at the guillotine, they were beheaded by revolutionaries.
7. The Smiling Angel sculpture is a symbol of the city of Reims
Notre Dame de Reims is the only cathedral to display sculptures of angels with open wings. The most famous is the Smiling Angel (L’Ange au Sourire) on the portal to the left of the central facade, carved between 1236 and 1245.
In 1914, she was decapitated when Reims Cathedral was bombed by German forces. Its restoration became a symbol of renewal for the whole city. You cannot help but smile back.
8. The cathedral’s rose windows are magnificent
Rose windows are a key feature of Gothic cathedrals, allowing light to flood in and depicting biblical scenes.
Created in the 13th century, the great rose window is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady of the Assumption, the patron saint of Reims Cathedral. Below it, the 20th century little rose window depicts the litanies of the Blessed Virgin.
The most famous window, though, is in the south transept: the Champagne Window, created in 1954, showing the lives of those who work the city’s vineyards.
9. It is also home to modern art
Following the extensive fire damage in WWI, a restoration programme began, partly funded by the Rockefellers.
Using techniques developed in the 13th century, Mark Chagall created three windows for the axial chapel. The themes include the death and resurrection of Christ, the life of Abraham and the lives of the kings of France.
More recently, the German artist Imi Knoebel created nine stained glass windows to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the cathedral and to symbolise Franco-German reconciliation.
10. Reims Cathedral is immense
Inside, the cathedral’s magnificent nave measures 377 feet in length. Outside, it is 489 feet long, and its twin towers soar to a height of 266 feet.
In the league table of cathedrals, this makes it longer than Seville Cathedral and St John Lateran in Rome, but shorter than St Peter’s Basilica or the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.
Visiting Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral
Reims Cathedral is at Place du Cardinal Lucon, 51100 Reims, a 15 minute walk from the train station, and open daily from 8 am to 7.30pm except during services (check current times here). Entry is free.
Buy a guidebook or floor plan at the cathedral shop if you’d like more detail on what you’re looking at, or book an inexpensive guided tour here to have it explained as you go.
Reims Cathedral FAQs
How long do you need to visit Reims Cathedral?
Around an hour to ninety minutes covers the interior, the stained glass and the facade at an easy pace. Add extra time if you’re booking a guided tour or visiting the Palace of Tau afterwards.
Can you climb the towers?
Yes, but only on a guided tour and only at set times, which change with the season. It’s 249 steps up a spiral staircase, so wear shoes you can climb in. Check the cathedral’s official site for current tour times and tickets before you go.
Is photography allowed inside?
Yes, without flash. Confirm on the day, since rules can shift around services or events.
Is Reims Cathedral accessible for wheelchair users?
The ground floor is accessible. The towers are stairs only, so that part of a visit isn’t possible for wheelchair users.
Is Reims Cathedral free to enter?
Yes, entry to the main body of the cathedral is free every day. Only the tower climb and certain guided tours carry a charge.
Where to Stay in Reims
I enjoyed my stay at Best Western Premier Hotel de la Paix, a 4-star hotel in the heart of the city. Recommended for its comfortable rooms, extensive breakfast buffet and indoor swimming pool and sun terrace.
If you want to stay in the heart of Champagne house territory, Domaine les Crayères is a lovely option, just 350 meters from Pommery.
>>> READ THIS NEXT: For the Love of Fizz: 5 Best Champagne Houses in Reims, France
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.