Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims

1 December 2020 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, House of the Month, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time:  10 minutes

© G.Garitan/MathKnight/cc-by-sa-3.0

© G.Garitan/MathKnight/cc-by-sa-3.0

Notre-Dame de Reims (meaning “Our Lady of Reims”), sometimes known in English as Rheims Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the French city of the same name. The cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is famous for being the traditional location for the coronation of the kings of France. The cathedral church is thought to have been founded by Bishop Saint Nicasius in the early 5th century. Marking an important conversion, Clovis, King of the Franks, was baptized a Christian here about a century later. Construction of the present Reims Cathedral began in the 13th century and concluded in the 15th century. A prominent example of High Gothic architecture, it was built to replace an earlier church destroyed by fire in 1221. Although little damaged during the French Revolution, the present cathedral saw extensive restoration in the 19th century but was severely damaged during World War I. The church was again restored in the 20th century. Reims Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Reims. The cathedral, a major tourist destination, receives about one million visitors annually.   read more…

Theme Week Champagne – Épernay

21 September 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Épernay from Mont Bernon © Sand

Épernay from Mont Bernon © Sand

Épernay is a commune in the Marne department. Épernay is located some 130 km north-east of Paris on the main line of the Eastern railway to Strasbourg. The town sits on the left bank of the Marne at the extremity of the Cubry valley which crosses it. Épernay is a sub-prefecture of the department and seat of the arrondissement.   read more…

Theme Week Champagne

10 January 2015 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Bon voyage, Bon appétit, Theme Weeks Reading Time:  6 minutes

© flickr.com - Phillip Capper/cc-by-2.0

© flickr.com – Phillip Capper/cc-by-2.0

Champagne-Ardenne is one of the 27 regions of France. It is located in the northeast of the country, bordering Belgium, and consists of four departments: Aube, Ardennes, Haute-Marne, and Marne. The region is famous for its sparkling white wine (champagne). Its rivers, most of which flow west, include the Seine, the Marne, and the Aisne. The Meuse flows north. The capital is Châlons-en-Champagne. The historical most important is city is Reims.   read more…

Theme Week Champagne – Troyes

22 March 2014 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Old Town © KBWEi

Old Town © KBWEi

Troyes is a commune and the capital of the Aube department. It is located on the Seine river about 150 km (93 mi) southeast of Paris. Many half-timbered houses (mainly of the 16th century) survive in the old town. Troyes has been in existence since the Roman era, as Augustobona Tricassium, which stood at the hub of numerous highways, primarily the Via Agrippa. The inhabitants of the commune are called Troyens.   read more…

Theme Week Champagne – Châlons-en-Champagne

20 March 2014 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Town Hall © TitTornade/cc-by-sa-3.0

Town Hall © TitTornade/cc-by-sa-3.0

Châlons-en-Champagne is the capital of both the department of Marne and the region of Champagne-Ardenne, despite being only a quarter the size of the city of Reims. Formerly called Châlons-sur-Marne, the city was officially renamed in 1998. It should not be confused with the Burgundian town of Chalon-sur-Saône.   read more…

Theme Week Champagne – Langres

19 March 2014 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  7 minutes

Langres © Vassil

Langres © Vassil

Langres is a commune and a subprefecture of the Haute-Marne département. The town is built on a limestone promontory of the same name. This stronghold was originally occupied by the Gauls, and, at a later date the Romans fortified the town belonging to the Celtic tribe the Lingones; Andemantunum the strategic cross-roads of twelve Roman roads. The 1st century Triumphal Gate and the many artefacts exhibited in the museums are witnesses to the Gallo-Roman town.   read more…

Theme Week Champagne – Chaumont

18 March 2014 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Town Hall © Pline/cc-by-sa-3.0

Town Hall © Pline/cc-by-sa-3.0

Chaumont is the capital (or préfecture) of the Haute-Marne department. As of 2013, it has a population of 23,000. The city stands on the Marne River and is situated on the railway linking Paris and Basel, which runs over a 52 m tall and 600 m long viaduct built in 1856.   read more…

Reims, in the heart of Champagne

28 December 2011 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, UNESCO World Heritage Reading Time:  7 minutes

City Hall © Fryderyk

City Hall © Fryderyk

Reims, a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies 129 km (80 mi) east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire.   read more…

Overview Theme Weeks

27 December 2011 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Bon voyage, Theme Weeks Reading Time:  21 minutes

Theme Weeks (Latest addition: January 2025) In irregular intervals we publish Theme Weeks about cities, regions, and countries. Here you can find the complete list.   read more…

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