Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims : info and guided tour

Introduction to Reims Cathedral of Notre-Dame

Reims Cathedral of Notre-Dame is one of France’s great Gothic monuments, located on Place du Cardinal-Luçon in the heart of Reims. Built mainly in the 13th century, it replaced an older church and quickly established itself as a major work of medieval religious architecture. Its soaring silhouette still dominates the city center.

The monument is especially known as the traditional place of the coronation of the kings of France, which gave it a central place in national history. The cathedral has endured through the centuries, retaining a strong symbolic value despite the destruction it suffered during the First World War and the restorations that followed. It remains an iconic site of memory and heritage.

Its Gothic architecture is distinguished by a richly decorated façade, animated by three sculpted portals and a large rose window. Outside as well as inside, visitors discover vertical proportions, flying buttresses, and a vast, luminous nave. The abundant and remarkable statuary is among the monument’s most famous features.

The cathedral is also admired for its stained glass windows, some of which are associated with 20th-century artists, as well as for its sculpted details visible on the portals and galleries. Classified among France’s major heritage sites, it attracts visitors as much for its beauty as for its essential role in the history of Reims and the French monarchy.

Discover Reims with a private guide

A private guide can help you better understand Reims Cathedral of Notre-Dame by shedding light on its history, Gothic architecture, and the symbols visible on the façades and in the nave. In the context of the city of Reims, this guided experience also makes it possible to place the monument in its historical and heritage context.