Rheims

Rheims

We decided to go to Rheims in Champagne for the day in our last week in Paris. Again we went early and caught the train from Gare de l’est. It takes 45 minutes on the TGV or fast train.

We arrived before 9am. 

First stop was a local market. Amazing berries in season amongst other things.

We had read that the Rheims Cathedral was worth visiting but had no idea how spectacular it was. We find when our expectations are exceeded with sights the pleasure is magnified.

It is considered to be a 13th century masterpiece of Gothic art. The first cathedral was built on the site in 401 and added on to over the years. It was burnt down in 1210 and the new one was commenced in 1211. Twenty five French kings were crowned there. It was bombed and burnt in WW1,  rebuilt and reopened in 1937. Quite a history.

Entrance to the Cathedral and museum next door is free. Unusual for European Cathedrals.

 The rose windows are amazing and let a lot of light inside. Joan of Arc is featured in this statue. One of the promises that she made to Charles V11 was that he would be anointed and crowned at the Reims Cathedral. She must have had amazing charisma. She was born a peasant and claimed divine guidance at the age of 16. She convinced the French army and led them to several victories in the Hundred Years War. She was burned at the stake for heresy aged 19. She was declared innocent several years later and is now one of the patron saints of France.

Both the Cathedral and the Palace of Tau next door are UNESCO Heritage listed. The Palace of Tau contains some amazing artefacts from the Cathedral's history. There are many 15th century tapestries still in excellent condition. They were hanging on the walls and didn't seem especially well protected to us. The details in them were amazing.

Louis the 16th was crowned at Reims in 1774. This is a replica of the crown he wore. The original was destroyed in the French Revolution.

This coronation robe is made of ermine and is huge. I stood beside it to show you. I imagine it is very heavy and hot to wear. All I could think of was that I hoped it was not so hot on coronation days as it was the day we visited!

After a nice lunch we visited the Mumm champagne cellars. We went on a tour which took an hour. We saw the history of how champagne has been stored and bottled over the years and how it has now become more automated. There are 25 kilometres of cellars which are built into the limestone of the area and remain at a constant temperature of 12C. And yes we did enjoy a tasting afterwards.

Rheims is a lovely town with an air of prosperity. We walked through this lovely avenue of Plane trees.

I spotted this lady buying flowers in a florists and wondered if she colour co ordinated her dress with the flower arrangements on purpose! It made such a lovely scene.