Cathedral of Reims

Cathedral of Reims
Name	Cathedral of Reims
Caption	The west façade of the cathedral
Location	Reims, France
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Architect	Jean d'Orbais; Bernard de Soissons
Style	High Gothic
Groundbreaking	1211
Completed	1275
Spire height	81 m (266 ft)
Length	149.17 m (489.4 ft)
Width	30 m (98 ft)
Height	38 m (125 ft) (interior)

Cathedral of Reims. Known in French as Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, it is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and a monument of profound historical and religious significance. Constructed in the 13th century on the site of earlier churches, it served for centuries as the traditional coronation site for the Kings of France. The cathedral is renowned for its harmonious proportions, its stunning sculptural decoration, and its deep association with French national identity.

History

The site has been sacred since the Roman Empire, with an early Christian church built by Saint Nicasius in the 5th century. The immediate predecessor to the current structure was a Carolingian cathedral where Louis the Pious was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Stephen IV in 816. The decision to build the present Gothic cathedral followed a fire in 1210 that damaged the older building, with construction beginning in 1211 under the patronage of Archbishop Aubry de Humbert and the oversight of architect Jean d'Orbais. The work continued under successive architects like Bernard de Soissons and was largely completed by 1275, though various elements like the upper parts of the towers were finished later. Its history is inextricably linked to the French monarchy, a role formalized after the coronation of Louis VIII in 1223.

Architecture

The cathedral is a seminal example of High Gothic style, characterized by its verticality, luminosity, and structural innovation. The nave rises to a height of 38 meters under a complex rib vault ceiling, supported externally by a sophisticated system of flying buttresses. The west façade is a sculptural encyclopedia, featuring over 2,300 statues, including the famous Smiling Angel and the Gallery of Kings. The interior is illuminated by vast stained glass windows, including modern replacements by artists like Marc Chagall in the axial chapel. The overall plan follows a traditional Latin cross layout with an ambulatory and radiating chapels surrounding the choir.

Significance

Beyond its architectural genius, the cathedral holds immense symbolic weight as the "Coronation Cathedral" of France, a status that intertwined the legitimacy of the monarchy with divine sanction. This tradition, purportedly initiated with the baptism of Clovis I by Saint Remigius in the late 5th century, made the cathedral a central pillar of French national consciousness. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, recognizing its outstanding universal value. The building also serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Reims.

Coronations

The cathedral was the ceremonial stage for the sacre, the anointing and crowning of French kings, a ritual that emphasized their power derived from God. The first coronation of a French king held there was that of Louis VII in 1131, but the tradition became fixed with Philip II in 1179. The most famous ceremony was the coronation of Charles VII in 1429, orchestrated by Joan of Arc, which was pivotal during the Hundred Years' War. The last king crowned at Reims was Charles X in 1825, marking the end of the Bourbon Restoration.

Damage and restoration

The cathedral suffered severe damage during the French Revolution when many of its statues and royal symbols were vandalized. Its most devastating trauma occurred during World War I, when the German army subjected Reims to intense artillery bombardment. The cathedral burned for days in September 1914, leading to the collapse of its roof, the destruction of medieval windows, and significant scarring of its stonework. A major restoration campaign, funded significantly by the Rockefeller family and overseen by architect Henri Deneux, lasted for decades, using innovative techniques like reinforced concrete. Further restoration is ongoing, managed by the French state under the Ministry of Culture.

Cultural depictions

The iconic image of the cathedral has been captured by numerous artists, including the French painter Camille Corot. It features prominently in the 1927 silent film *Napoléon* by Abel Gance. The building's symbolic power made it a focal point in propaganda imagery during World War I and its restoration. It has also been referenced in literature and continues to be a major subject of study in art history, particularly regarding Gothic architecture and medieval sculpture.

Category:Roman Catholic cathedrals in France Category:Gothic architecture in France Category:World Heritage Sites in France