"Reims, Champagne" a Reims Travel Page by DanielF

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Reims, the peaceful capital of the Champagne region, has played an important and symbolic role in the history of France. Its glorious cathedral of Our Lady, a masterwork of Gothic Art, was the place were the kings of France were crowned for over 1000 years in memory of the baptism of Clovis, the first Frank king, by Saint Rémi.

The city and the cathedral itself were seriously damaged during World War I. The cathedral was rebuilt afterwards (the works finished in 1938), but many art treasures were lost forever, among them most of the wonderful stained-glass windows. Also the whole area was disappeared and very few old buildings remain. The city has been rebuilt in a typically French style and looks like a quite place with fine buildings and a very provincial atmosphere.

Reims has ca. 200.000 inhabitants and, apart from its Cathedral, is famous in the world for being the capital of the Champagne region, the land where the king of wines is produced. You can visit several cellars in the city and its surroundings and there is even a tourist route of the Champagne wine, where you will be able to discover the small villages, the vineyards and the mild landscapes where this delicious wine is produced.