Reims history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Reims is rooted in deep antiquity. The city was founded by the Gallic tribe of the Remi (from whom the modern name is derived) around 80 BC. Following the arrival of the Romans, the settlement was named Durocortorum and quickly transformed from a fortified camp (oppidum) into a prosperous ancient city.

Key Factors of Formation

The rapid development of Reims in the ancient and early medieval periods was driven by several strategic advantages:

• Political Alliance with Rome: The Remi were among the first to form an alliance with Julius Caesar, securing the city a privileged status as a federation and protection from destruction during the Gallic Wars.
• Administrative Centre: The city was chosen as the capital of the Roman province of Belgica, becoming the residence of the governor and the political heart of the region.
• Transport Hub: Its advantageous geographical position at the intersection of eight major Roman roads facilitated active trade and population growth.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even at the dawn of its history, Reims stood out among other cities in the region:

• Large-scale Urbanisation: During the height of the Roman Empire, the city covered a vast area and possessed developed infrastructure, including a forum, thermal baths, and four triumphal arches (one of which, the Porte de Mars, has survived to this day).
• Religious Significance: A turning point was the baptism of the King of the Franks, Clovis I, by Bishop Remigius (Saint Remi) in 498 (or 496 according to other sources). This event laid the foundation for Reims' status as a sacred city where French monarchs were subsequently crowned.

Key Milestones in the History of Reims

• 496 — King Clovis I of the Franks accepts baptism from Bishop Remigius, forever linking the city's history with the French monarchy.
• 816 — Louis I the Pious becomes the first French monarch to be officially crowned in Reims.
• 1211 — The first stone is laid for the foundation of the current Reims Cathedral (Notre-Dame) after a fire destroyed the old church.
• 1429 — The coronation of Charles VII takes place in the presence of Joan of Arc, marking a turning point in the Hundred Years' War.
• 1548 — Cardinal Charles of Lorraine founds the University of Reims, turning the city into an important educational centre.
• 1793 — During the French Revolution, the Holy Ampulla containing the oil used for anointing kings is publicly smashed.
• 1814 — Napoleon wins one of his last victories over Russian-Prussian troops in the Battle of Reims.
• 1914–1918 — The city is on the front line and suffers devastating bombardments, destroying about 80% of its buildings.
• 1945 (7 May) — The act of unconditional surrender of the German armed forces is signed at the Allied headquarters in Reims.
• 1962 — Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer participate in a mass of reconciliation at the cathedral, symbolising a new era of relations between France and Germany.
• 1991 — Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau, and the Abbey of Saint-Remi are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• 2007 — Launch of the TGV Est high-speed rail line, connecting Reims to Paris in just 45 minutes.

Key Stages of Reims' Development

The evolution of Reims is a journey from an ancient metropolis to the modern capital of the Champagne region and a business hub. The city has repeatedly changed its architectural appearance and economic direction, adapting to the challenges of the times.

• Ancient Urbanisation and Capital Status (1st–3rd centuries)

  In the Roman era, the city, known as Durocortorum, became the capital of the province of Belgica. This was a period of large-scale urban planning: a forum, thermal baths, and four monumental arches at the entrances were erected, forming a rectangular grid of streets, traces of which are still visible in the centre today. The population reached 30,000–50,000 people, making it one of the largest cities north of the Alps.

• Medieval Architectural Boom (13th–14th centuries)

  The status of the coronation site of French monarchs turned Reims into a centre of Gothic art. The construction of the grandiose Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Abbey of Saint-Remi stimulated the development of crafts (stonemasons, stained-glass artists) and urban infrastructure to accommodate royal courts and pilgrims. The city grew around these spiritual landmarks.

• Textile Era (17th–19th centuries)

  Before the rise of the sparkling wine industry, the economic foundation of Reims was the production of woollen fabrics. Local manufactories producing the famous "Reims cloth" ensured the wealth of the bourgeoisie and contributed to the development of the city with mansions and trading rows, turning it into an important industrial hub of France.

• Industrialisation of Champagne Production (19th century)

  In the 19th century, a key economic transformation occurred: viticulture moved from artisanal to industrial production. Major Champagne houses (Pommery, Veuve Clicquot, etc.) began actively using ancient Roman chalk quarries (crayères) to age their beverages. This formed a unique "underground city"—a network of tunnels over 100 km long, which became an integral part of the urban structure.

• Rebirth in Art Deco Style (1920s)

  After the destruction of 80% of its buildings in World War I, Reims was essentially rebuilt. Thanks to the plan of American architect George Ford, the city received wider streets and modern utilities. Mass construction in the Art Deco style (Carnegie Library, Opera House, residential buildings) gave Reims a unique architectural appearance that distinguishes it from other ancient French cities.

• Transport Revolution and Business Centre (2007 – Present)

  The launch of the TGV Est high-speed rail line became a modern driver of development. Reducing the travel time to Paris to 45 minutes led to the creation of the new Clairmarais business district near the station and an influx of investment, turning Reims into an attractive hub for business and tourism, effectively integrated into the capital region.

Architectural Eclecticism: From Antiquity to Modernity

The architectural appearance of Reims is unique in that two dominant eras coexist harmoniously here: the majestic Middle Ages and the bold modernism of the 1920s. Due to massive destruction during the First World War, the city lost a significant part of its old ordinary buildings but acquired a new face, becoming the French capital of the Art Deco style.

Ancient Heritage and Romanesque Style

The earliest layers of the city date back to the Roman period and the early Middle Ages. They are characterised by monumentality and functionality.

• Porte de Mars (Mars Gate): The only surviving one of four Roman arches. It is a striking example of 3rd-century ancient architecture—the widest triumphal arch in the Roman world (33 metres), adorned with rich relief decoration.
• Basilique Saint-Remi (Saint-Remi Basilica): Demonstrates the transition from the Romanesque style to Gothic. The nave of the basilica (11th century) is executed in a strict Romanesque style with massive walls and semicircular arches, while the choir and façade already bear features of early Gothic.

Gothic: Vertical of Power and Faith

The period of the 13th–15th centuries gave Reims its main symbol. The Gothic style reached its apogee here, characterised by upward aspiration, an abundance of light, and complex sculptural decoration.

• Reims Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Reims): The standard of High Gothic. The building is known for the harmony of its proportions and an incredible number of statues (more than 2,300), including the famous "Smiling Angel". A feature of Reims Gothic is the use of the "bar-tracery" technique (openwork stone window frames), which allowed walls to be replaced with stained glass.

Classicism and Renaissance (17th–18th centuries)

In the Age of Enlightenment, the city acquired features of regularity and symmetry. Urban planning of this period sought to create open spaces and ensembles.

• Place Royale (Royal Square): A typical example of 18th-century French classicism. The square is surrounded by buildings with elegant façades, balustrades, and arcades, and a monument to Louis XV is installed in the centre.
• Palais du Tau (Palace of Tau): The former residence of the archbishops. Although the foundation of the building is medieval, its external appearance was completely reworked in the late 17th century by architect Robert de Cotte in the style of classicism, giving the palace severity and grandeur.

Art Deco: Architecture of Rebirth (1920s)

After 1918, Reims rose from the ashes. The city became an experimental ground for architects who rejected copying antiquity in favour of the Art Deco style. This period is characterised by geometric patterns, the use of reinforced concrete, stylised floral motifs, wrought iron, and bas-reliefs.

• Carnegie Library (Bibliothèque Carnegie): A masterpiece of the style. The façade is decorated with geometric mosaics and stained glass, and the interior impresses with the sophistication of its decoration using precious woods and onyx.
• Saint-Nicaise Church (Église Saint-Nicaise): A unique example of sacred architecture made of reinforced concrete. The building is designed in the shape of a Greek cross and decorated with stained glass windows by the famous René Lalique.
• Boulingrin Covered Market (Halles du Boulingrin): A bold engineering solution of 1929. A thin concrete vault only 7 cm thick, hovering over the trading rows, became a symbol of technological progress in the interwar era.

Modern Architecture and Postmodernism

In the 21st century, Reims continues to develop, integrating modern buildings into the historical canvas. New projects are distinguished by lightness, the use of glass, and respect for the context.

• Jean Falala Mediatheque (Médiathèque Jean Falala): Located directly opposite the cathedral, it demonstrates the delicate approach of modern architecture. The glass façade of the building reflects the Gothic spires, creating a visual dialogue between the past and the future.

Distinguished Figures of Reims

The history of Reims is inextricably linked with the names of monarchs, saints, and innovators whose legacy defined the fate of the city and all of France. Here are the key figures who left their mark here.

• Saint Remigius (Saint Remi) (c. 437–533)
  Bishop of Reims, patron saint of the city
  A key figure of early Christianity in France. It was he who baptised King Clovis I, establishing the centuries-old tradition of crowning French monarchs in Reims. The famous basilica, included in the UNESCO list, bears his name.
• Clovis I (c. 466–511)
  King of the Franks, founder of the Merovingian dynasty
  Having accepted baptism in Reims in 496 (or 498), he united scattered tribes and laid the foundation of French statehood. This event made Reims the "City of Kings" and the spiritual centre of the country.
• Joan of Arc (1412–1431)
  National Heroine of France, Saint
  She liberated Reims from the English and Burgundians during the Hundred Years' War to conduct the coronation of the rightful heir to the throne, Charles VII, here. A monument to the Maid of Orléans today occupies a place of honour in front of the cathedral.
• Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619–1683)
  Statesman, Minister of Finance to Louis XIV
  A famous native of Reims. Creator of the French navy and manufactories, he patronised the sciences and arts. In his hometown, a square and a lyceum bear his name, and a monument to the great reformer is installed in the centre.
• Nicole-Barbe Clicquot-Ponsardin (1777–1866)
  Entrepreneur, known as "Madame Clicquot"
  Heading the wine house after her husband's death, she turned the Champagne industry into a global brand. She invented the riddling process (clearing sediment from the bottle) and created the first blended rosé sparkling wine. Her legacy remains one of the pillars of the region's economy.
• Léonard Foujita (1886–1968)
  Painter of the School of Paris
  A Japanese painter who converted to Catholicism in Reims Cathedral. In gratitude to the city, he designed and painted the unique Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix (known as the Foujita Chapel), which became a gem of modern art in Reims.
• Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
  Avant-garde artist
  In 1974, he created three magnificent stained-glass windows for the axial chapel of Reims Cathedral. His work symbolises the reconciliation of ancient Gothic architecture with modern art and is one of the main tourist attractions in the cathedral.