Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Reims

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Reims is a major city in the Marne department of France.

Cathédrale de Reims et Palais du Tau
Cathédrale de Reims et Palais du Tau

It is the 12th most populous city in the country. The city is located northeast of Paris. It sits along the Vesle river, which is a tributary of the Aisne river. Reims is also situated on the northern edge of the Champagne wine region. This location links the city closely to the production and export of famous sparkling wines. Today, the city serves as a subprefecture within the Grand Est administrative region.

The history of Reims stretches back to the Gallic period. The Remi tribe established their capital at this site.

Porte de Mars
Porte de Mars

During the conquest of Gaul between 58 and 51 BC, the Remi allied with Julius Caesar. This loyalty earned them special favor from the Roman Empire. At its peak during Roman times, the city population reached between 30,000 and 100,000 people. The name Reims is believed to come from the Remi tribe. The Latin name for the city is hypothesized to mean "Door of Cortoro-".

Religion and monarchy shaped the city's destiny for centuries. Christianity was established in Reims by the year 260.

In 496, Bishop Remigius baptized the Frankish king Clovis I. This event involved a sacred oil called the Holy Ampulla. Legend says a white dove brought this chrism from heaven. Because of this, Reims became known as the "Coronation City."

Ingres coronation charles vii
Ingres coronation charles vii

For hundreds of years, French kings were anointed at the Reims Cathedral. They often stayed at the adjacent Palace of Tau during these ceremonies.

Calice du sacre Tau
Calice du sacre Tau

This tradition helped the monarchy claim a divine right to rule.

Reims has experienced significant architectural and cultural development. The city features styles ranging from Romanesque to Art-déco. In 1991, UNESCO listed the Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau, and the Abbey of Saint-Remi as a World Heritage Site.

Cathédrale de Reims et Palais du Tau
Cathédrale de Reims et Palais du Tau

These sites are recognized for their Gothic and Romanesque architecture. The Basilica of Saint-Remi is the largest Romanesque church in northern France. Other notable structures include the flamboyant neo-Gothic Protestant Church.

France, Reims and its cathedral, 1916
France, Reims and its cathedral, 1916

The city also houses the Carnegie library, which is a fine example of Art Deco design.

The city has survived many periods of conflict and hardship. During the 15th century, the English held the city following the Treaty of Troyes. In 1429, Joan of Arc helped Charles VII be consecrated in the cathedral. The city also faced plagues in 1635 and 1668, as well as a typhus epidemic in the 1690s. During World War I, German bombardments caused severe damage to the cathedral.

France, Reims and its cathedral, 1916
France, Reims and its cathedral, 1916

This destruction became a symbol of German aggression in French propaganda. However, Reims played a vital role in ending World War II.

Reims - musée de la Reddition (01)
Reims - musée de la Reddition (01)

On May 7, 1945, German forces signed an unconditional surrender at the Museum of the Surrender.

Modern Reims is a center for industry and culture. The economy is driven by the Champagne industry and bio-economic innovation. The city is also a site of early aviation history. In 1909, it hosted the first international aviation meet.

Aviatiker-Woche Reims 1909
Aviatiker-Woche Reims 1909

Visitors can explore many specialized museums in the city. The Musée Saint-Remi holds artifacts ranging from the Palaeolithic to the medieval period.

Hall in Saint-Remi Museum, Reims
Hall in Saint-Remi Museum, Reims

For car enthusiasts, the Automobile Museum displays vehicles from 1903 to the present.

Circuit de Reims-Gueux - 002
Circuit de Reims-Gueux - 002

These diverse interests make Reims a significant cultural hub in France.

The city's infrastructure and institutions support its large population. The Eastern Railways connected Paris and Strasbourg to Reims in 1852. This improved the city's connectivity to the rest of the country. The Reims Opera House and the Reims Manège and Circus provide venues for performing arts.

Opéra de Reims 2015
Opéra de Reims 2015

Educational history is also important, as the city became an intellectual center in the 10th century. Archbishop Adalberon founded schools that taught the classical liberal arts. This long history of learning and industry continues to define the city today.

631 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Porte de Mars.jpg
Porte de Mars.jpg
File:St Remy Bishop of Rheims begging of Clovis the restitution of the Sacred Vase taken by the Franks in the Pillage of Soissons.png
St Remy Bishop of Rheims begging of...
File:Calice du sacre Tau.jpg
Calice du sacre Tau.jpg
File:Ingres coronation charles vii.jpg
Ingres coronation charles vii.jpg
File:Aviatiker-Woche Reims 1909.jpg
Aviatiker-Woche Reims 1909.jpg
File:France, Reims and its cathedral, 1916.jpg
France, Reims and its cathedral, 1916.jpg
File:Cathédrale de Reims et Palais du Tau.jpg
Cathédrale de Reims et Palais du Tau.jpg
File:Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims, Southwest view 20140306 1.jpg
Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims, Southwest...
File:Reims - temple (13).JPG
Reims - temple (13).JPG
File:Hall in Saint-Remi Museum, Reims.jpg
Hall in Saint-Remi Museum, Reims.jpg
File:Reims - musée de la Reddition (01).JPG
Reims - musée de la Reddition (01).JPG
File:Opéra de Reims 2015.JPG
Opéra de Reims 2015.JPG

+ 3 more

More to explore

✨ What else?

Related topics you might enjoy

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.