For nearly a thousand years, French kings were crowned inside Notre-Dame de Reims, making this soaring Gothic cathedral one of the most historically significant religious buildings in the country, on par with, and in some ways more politically important than, Notre-Dame de Paris. Badly damaged during the First World War and painstakingly restored, its facade remains one of the finest examples of High Gothic sculpture anywhere in Europe.

What to See and Do

Study the West Facade’s Sculptures

The cathedral’s main facade holds more than 2,000 carved figures, including the famous “Smiling Angel,” whose gentle expression has become one of the most recognizable details in French Gothic art. Binoculars help, since many of the finer carvings sit high above street level.

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See the Marc Chagall Stained Glass

Among the cathedral’s many stained-glass windows, three created by Marc Chagall in the 1970s stand out for their vivid blue tones and modernist style, a striking contrast to the medieval glass elsewhere in the building. They’re installed in the axial chapel behind the main altar.

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Learn About the Coronation History

From Clovis in the 5th century through Charles X in 1825, the majority of French monarchs were crowned at Reims rather than Paris, a history tied closely to Joan of Arc, who brought Charles VII here to be crowned during the Hundred Years’ War. Information panels and guided tours bring this history to life inside the nave.

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Visit the Palace of Tau Next Door

The former archbishop’s palace, used to house and prepare kings before their coronations, now displays original cathedral sculptures, coronation regalia and tapestries up close, offering detail that’s impossible to appreciate on the facade itself from ground level.

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Combine with a Champagne House Visit

Reims sits at the heart of the Champagne region, and many visitors pair a cathedral visit with a tour of one of the historic Champagne houses headquartered in the city, several of which offer cellar tours through kilometers of chalk tunnels beneath the streets.

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Best Time to Visit

Morning light suits the facade’s carvings particularly well, while a clear afternoon lets sunlight bring out the full color of the stained-glass windows inside. The cathedral is active year-round, though special services can occasionally limit tourist access to parts of the nave.

How to Get There

Reims is about 45 minutes from Paris by high-speed train, making it an easy day trip, or a natural stop for anyone touring the Champagne region by car. The cathedral sits in the compact city center, walkable from the train station in about 15 minutes.

Good to Know

Entry to the cathedral itself is free, though the Palace of Tau next door requires a separate ticket. Budget about an hour for the cathedral and another hour for the Palace of Tau if you want the fuller coronation-history picture.

Reims Cathedral carries a different weight than most Gothic churches, tied directly to the making and unmaking of French kings for centuries. Pair it with the Palace of Tau, and even a brief visit leaves a strong impression.