World Heritage Photos

Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and the Palace of Tau in Reims: Reims Cathedral, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Our Lady) in Reims, is located in Reims, the city lies northeast of Paris in France. Reims is the capital city of the Champagne Region. Reims was the site of 25 coronations of French kings, from Louis VIII in 1223 to Charles X in 1825, including the crowning of Charles VII in 1429 in the presence of Joan of Arc, also known as the Maid of Orléans. The construction of the present Reims Cathedral was started in 1211, it was modelled on Chartres Cathedral. The main construction lasted about 80 years, expansions and decorative work on the cathedral continued for several centuries. A labyrinth was inlaid in the nave floor around 1290, the Reims Labyrinth was destroyed in 1779, its details and inscriptions are known from 18th century drawings. Together with the cathedrals of Amiens, Bourges and Chartres, Reims Cathedral is a High Gothic or French Gothic cathedral. During the First World War, Reims Cathedral was heavily damaged. The restoration works started almost immediately after the war and continues until today. Reims Cathedral is situated on the Via Campaniensis, a branch of the pilgrimage route to the town of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims, the former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and the Palace of Tau in Reims were declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1991.

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Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The sculpture of the Smiling Angel at the north portal...

Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The sculpture of the Smiling Angel at the north portal of the west façade of Reims Cathedral. The Smiling Angel was damaged during the First World War, caused by a german shell, the already famous Smiling Angel became the icon for the French wartime propaganda, the sculpture was restored after the war. Reims Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1991.

  1. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The sculpture of the Smiling Angel at the north portal...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The sculpture of the Smiling Angel at the north portal of the west façade of Reims Cathedral. The Smiling Angel was damaged during the First World War, caused by a german shell, the already famous Smiling Angel became the icon for the French wartime propaganda, the sculpture was restored after the war. Reims Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1991.

  2. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The splendid decorations of Reims Cathedral close to...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The splendid decorations of Reims Cathedral close to the flying buttresses. The statues of the many mythical animals had the duty to protect the cathedral from evil and dark spirits. The pillars of the flying buttresses contain niches with the statues of angels. The outside and inside of Reims Cathedral is decorated with a great number of statues of angels.

  3. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The roof cresting of Reims Cathedral is decorated...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The roof cresting of Reims Cathedral is decorated with numerous sculpted clovers and the 'Fleur-de-Lys', a stylized lily, a symbol of France and also the symbol of the Virgin Mary. Reims Cathedral was severely damaged during the First World War. The restoration of the cathedral started in 1919 and continues until today. 

  4. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: One of the stone gargoyles of Reims Cathedral. The...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: One of the stone gargoyles of Reims Cathedral. The cathedral is a High Gothic or French Gothic cathedral, the construction lasted about 80 years, the expansions and decoration works on the cathedral continued for centuries. Reims Cathedral is decorated with numerous statues of angels, that's why the cathedral is also known as the 'Cathédrale des Anges', the 'Cathedral of Angels'.

  5. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims: The deep blue stained glass windows for the Axial Chapel...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims: The deep blue stained glass windows for the Axial Chapel of Reims Carhedral were designed by the Russian-French artist Marc Chagall, they were made by Charles Marq and his wife Brigitte Simon in 1974. Charles Marq brought back into production the medieval techniques used in the town of Reims during the 13th century to produce the special blue of the windows, known as 'Chartres Blue'.

  6. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The vaulted ceiling of Reims Cathedral. The...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The vaulted ceiling of Reims Cathedral. The cathedral is about 138 metres long, 30 metres wide in the nave and 38 metres high in the centre. Reims Cathedral has stained glass windows dating from the 13th until the 20th century. The huge rose window above the main portal is the most important window. Reims Cathedral is a High Gothic or French Gothic cathedral. 

  7. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: A sculpted angel sitting on a gargoyle. Reims...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: A sculpted angel sitting on a gargoyle. Reims Cathedral is adorned with 2303 sculptures, the west façade is the most beautiful part of Reims Cathedral and a true masterpiece of medieval art. The portals of the cathedral are the largest Gothic portals in the world. The portals of Reims Cathedral are overwhelming adorned with sculptures dating from the 13th century.

  8. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The façade of the south transept of Reims...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The façade of the south transept of Reims Cathedral is adorned with numerous sculptures. The cathedral was the site of twenty-five coronations of French kings, from King Louis VIII in 1223 to King Charles X in 1825, including the crowning of Charles VII in 1429 in the presence of Joan of Arc, also known as the 'Maid of Orléans'. Also in 1429, she successfully led the French troops to break the Siege of Orléans during the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

  9. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The gate into the residence of the Archbishop of...

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The gate into the residence of the Archbishop of Reims, the Palace of Tau, next to Reims Cathedral. A former church on the site of Reims Cathedral was the church where King Clovis I was baptized by Saint Remi, bishop of Reims, in 496 AD. A cathedral was built on the same site, but it burned down in 1210, the construction of the present Reims Cathedral started in 1211.

  10. Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Reims - Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The Palace of Tau is situated next to Reims Cathedral....

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame, former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau in Reims: The Palace of Tau is situated next to Reims Cathedral. The T-shaped layout of the building gave it its name, the Palace of Tau, Tau is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet. The palace was the residence for the French kings before their coronation in Reims Cathedral. Today, the palace is a museum, a most remarkable object is the talisman of Charlemagne, a gold medallion set with gemstones.