Rheims, France - Where the Kings Were Anointed

Rheims, sometimes spelled Reims, is the largest city in the northeastern Champagne region of France. With a 2008 population of 188,000, Rheims is known as the place where Kings of France were anointed, the most famed of those being Charles Vii in the company of Joan of Arc.

The magnificent 13th century Cathedral of Notre Dame is specifically where these coronations took place, and after the Cathedral was damaged by German shellfire in 1914, it was painstakingly and successfully restored. Someone else equally recognized buildings in Rheims is the Palace of Tau, built between 1498 and 1509, which served as the residence of the Kings of France while the opening of their coronations. The palace was the residence of the Archbishop dating back to the 13th century. 17th-century "improvements" have given it more of a Baroque appearance. It now functions as a museum featuring coronation relics, statues and tapestries.

Downton Abbey

 An easy one mile walk from the Cathedral is the St. Remi Basilica and its adjacent previous Abbey of St. Remi. The St. Remi Basilica was mostly completed in the 11th century, with additions made in subsequent centuries. The adjacent Abbey, like the Palace of Tau, is presently a museum, although the adjacent Basilica is still a place of worship.

While in Rheims, you should of policy tour some of the Grand Marque Champagne houses. Many tours contain trips through the cellars and tunnels made by the Romans. Someone else arresting site in Rheims is the old covered market on Rue du Temple in the city center, where you can get fresh furnish and just about anything else. Then be sure to check out the medieval Hotel le Verguer, a previous townhouse that is now furnished undoubtedly as it would have looked in its heyday from the 13th through the 16th centuries.

Also be sure to check out the Place Royale, the main quadrilateral of Rheims. Also visit the Church of St. Jacques, which dates from the 13th century and is now interestingly adequate the town of a arresting shopping area.

Rheims, France - Where the Kings Were Anointed