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Cathedral · Reims, Grande Leste
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Gothic 13th-century cathedral where nearly all the kings of France were crowned. It has more than 2,300 statues, including the Anjo Sorridente, and stained glass by Marc Chagall. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims is one of the most important works of Gothic art in Europe. Construction of the current building began in the early 13th century and finished in the 14th century. For centuries it was here that the kings of France were crowned: from the 11th century, almost every monarch passed through this nave in a ceremony that could last days.
The façade is the main spectacle. The cathedral contains about 2,300 statues, more than any other church in the country. In the left portal stands the Smiling Angel, a figure that became a symbol of the city. Above, the gallery of kings displays enormous statues of monarchs. Inside, the tall, luminous nave leads to the stained-glass windows of the axial chapel, designed by Marc Chagall.
The cathedral was heavily hit in World War I: a German bombardment in 1914 caused a fire that destroyed the roof and damaged statues and stained glass. Restoration took decades, and parts of the damaged original statuary are kept in the Palais du Tau next door.
In 1991 the cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Basilique Saint-Remi and the Palais du Tau. Part of the year there are guided visits to the towers, by reservation, which go through the roof structure and approach the statues of the gallery of kings. Check the dates before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to 1 hour for the nave, stained glass and façade at a relaxed pace. Add about 1 hour if you take the guided tower visit.
Best time
Early in the morning, before the groups, or in the late afternoon when the light hits the west façade. Avoid entering during Masses, especially on Sundays. On some summer nights there are light projections on the façade; check the schedule.
How to get there
It is in the centre, about 1 km from Gare de Reims, some 15 minutes on foot via Place Drouet-d'Erlon. The tram stops at Opéra station, a few minutes from the cathedral.
Tip
Look for the Smiling Angel in the left portal of the main façade before entering. Inside, go to the back of the church, behind the altar, to see Chagall's stained glass. Tower visits have limited places: book in advance.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Why is Reims Cathedral so important to France?
Because it was the site of the coronation of the French kings: from the 11th century almost all were crowned here. The tradition goes back to the baptism of Clovis by Bishop Remi in Reims at the end of the 5th century.
Where is the Anjo Sorridente?
On the left portal of the main façade, the west façade. It is a 13th-century statue that lost its head in the 1914 bombardment and was restored after the war.
Can you go up the cathedral towers?
At certain times of the year there are guided visits to the upper parts, by reservation, organized by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. Check the dates before you go, because they do not operate year-round.
Is there an entrance fee for the cathedral?
Entrance to the cathedral is free. The guided visit to the towers is paid and has limited availability.