One of the world's most famous Gothic cathedrals is well known and regarded for its harmony and monumentality. It had a rather turbulent history. During the Revolution of 1793, the rood screen and stained glass windows were damaged, but the stonework survived. Most of it, however, are only copies, with the originals in the Palais de Tau. It was damaged and restored after World War I, largely by U.S. contributions from John D. Rockefeller; but was lucky enough to have escaped World War II relatively unharmed. Major restorations were completed early in 1996 (I was there just afterwards).
Built on the site of a church, that presumably dated back to the 4th century and burned down in the fire in 1211, it was intended as a sanctuary where French kings would be anointed. The reason for this particular choice is that St-Rémi, the bishop of Reims, to whom an abbey and a basilica are dedicated, baptized Clovis, the king of the Franks, exactly on this spot in A.D. 496. All the kings of France from Louis the Pious in A.D. 815 to Charles X in 1825 were crowned here, though perhaps the most famous coronation took place in 1429 and was that of Charles VII. Why is it famous? Well, it was attended by Joan of Arc.
Leave a Comment
on Aug 25, 2002
