Reims

Reims is a large and important city in France. It is the most populous city in the Marne department and the 12th most populous city in France. The city is located about 129 km northeast of Paris along the Vesle river.

Reims has a long and rich history. It was founded by the Gauls and became a major city during the time of the Roman Empire. The city is especially famous because it was the traditional place where French kings were crowned. This special ceremony took place at the beautiful Cathedral of Reims, which held a very old and important religious object called the Holy Ampulla.

Today, Reims is known for its many different types of old buildings, from the Romanesque style to Art-déco. In 1991, several important places in Reims, including the Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau, and the Abbey of Saint-Remi, were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their special architecture and history. Reims is also near the Champagne wine region, making it an important place for wine production and trade.

History

See also: Timeline of Reims

Reims is an old city that began as the capital of the Remi tribe around 80 BC. The Remi people joined with the Romans when they came to Gaul, and because of their loyalty, the Romans favored them. During Roman times, the city may have had as many as 100,000 people. It was first called Durocortorum, and later took the name Reims from the Remi tribe.

Christianity started in Reims around the year 260. In 496, a important event happened when a bishop named Remigius baptized Clovis, the king of the Franks, using special oil that was said to have come from heaven. This event became a symbol for French kings to say they ruled by divine right.

Reims became an important place for learning by the 10th century. Schools taught subjects like the liberal arts. The archbishops of Reims had the special duty of crowning the kings of France, a job they did for many years.

In 1139, the city was given special rights. Later, during a big war, French heroes helped drive out invaders and had a king crowned in Reims. Sadly, there were times when the city faced tough times, like during wars and sicknesses.

During World War I, the city was badly damaged by fighting. The famous cathedral was hurt, and pictures of it became symbols of the war. After the war, people worked hard to fix the cathedral.

During World War II, the city was damaged again. In 1945, important leaders from the Allied forces accepted the surrender of German forces in Reims, marking the end of the war in Europe.

In 1908, an early airplane pilot made a flight to Reims, and in 1909, the city hosted a big airplane meeting with famous pilots.

Administration

Reims is an important city in the department of Marne, which is part of the region of Grand Est. Even though Reims is the biggest town in the area, another town called Châlons-en-Champagne serves as the main administrative center. Reims works together with 142 nearby towns in a group known as the Communauté urbaine of the Grand Reims_.

Demographics

Economy

Rue de Vesle is the main shopping street in Reims, running from southwest to northeast through the Place Royale. The city's economy is mostly powered by the wine and Champagne industries, as well as new ideas in the bio-economic field.

Architecture

Reims Cathedral is a beautiful example of French Gothic architecture. The Basilica of Saint-Remi, founded in the 11th century, is the largest Romanesque church in northern France, though it has some later additions. The Church of Saint-Jacques, dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries, is located near shopping and restaurants.

The Protestant Church of Reims, built in 1921–1923, shows off flamboyant neo-Gothic style. The Hôtel de Ville, erected in the 17th century and enlarged later, has a pediment with a statue of Louis XIII. Narcisse Brunette, the city's architect for nearly 50 years in the 19th century, designed the Reims Manège and Circus, which mixes stone and brick in a classical way. Examples of Art Deco in Reims include the Carnegie library. The Foujita Chapel, built in 1965–1966, was designed by Japanese–French artist Tsuguharu Foujita and has been listed as a monument historique since 1992.

Culture

Reims was one of the cities trying to become the European Capital of Culture in 2028, but it did not make it past the first round of choosing.

The city has many interesting places to visit. The Palace of Tau shows old statues, treasures, and clothes used in special ceremonies for French kings. The Musée Saint-Remi has tapestries, old pieces of marble, furniture, jewellery, pottery, weapons, and glasswork from many years ago. It also has medieval sculptures and items from early times like the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods. There is even a military exhibition there.

The Automobile Museum Reims-Champagne, started in 1985, has many cars from 1903 until today. It also shows motorcycles, small cars, toys, and enamel plaques. The Museum of Fine Arts is in an old building and has beautiful paintings and art. The Museum of the Surrender is where important leaders met in 1945 to end a big war.

Reims has several places for shows and performances. The Reims Opera House was built in 1873 and fixed up in the 1930s. The Reims Manège and Circus dates back to the 1860s, and the Comédie de Reims started in 1966.

The city has libraries, including a Carnegie library built in the 1920s.

Every year, Reims holds fun events. At the start of the year, there is the FARaway Festival with music, dance, theatre, and art shows all around the city. In June, the Fêtes Johanniques celebrate an important moment when a famous French hero entered Reims long ago. In August and September, there are light shows called Regalia on the Reims Cathedral, telling stories about French kings in a fun way. In the weeks before Christmas, a big Christmas market happens near the train station, with many stalls selling gifts, food, and crafts. There is also a large Christmas tree, and dogs on leashes are welcome.

Reims is also known for its food and wine. Many places to eat and drink are around Place Drouet d'Erlon. The city is a key place for making champagne, with many big champagne companies based there. You can visit caves under the city where champagne is aged. Reims is famous for special biscuits and sweets like the biscuit rose de Reims, pain d'épices, and nonnette.

The city has also been a place for sports. Between 1925 and 1969, it hosted car races, and the French Grand Prix was held there many times. The local football team, Stade Reims, was very successful in the 1950s and 1960s. The city has hosted the Teqball World Cup and the Reims Marathon since 1984.

Transport

Reims has two main train stations: Gare de Reims in the city center for local trains, and Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV just a little way outside the city for fast trains to Paris and other places. There are also smaller train stops in the southern part of the city at Franchet d'Esperey and Reims-Maison-Blanche. Several big roads, like A4, A26, and A34, meet near Reims.

Inside the city, people can get around using buses and a tramway that started in 2011. There is also a program where you can rent bikes called Zébullo. There is a canal called the Canal de l'Aisne à la Marne, and an airport named Reims – Prunay Aerodrome, but it does not have regular flights. The big airport in Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport, is not too far away.

Parks and gardens

Reims has many lovely parks and gardens. One of them is Parc de Champagne, where you can find a special monument called the Monument to the Heroes of the Black Army.

Near the main train station, there is a park called Hautes Promenades. This park has fun things to play with, like swings, hammocks, a carousel, trampolines you can jump on, and even a water park for splashing around. There are also smaller gardens and parks all around the city, such as Jardin Le Vergeur, Parc Léo-Lagrange, and Parc Saint-Remi, which is close to the Basilica of Saint-Remi.

Higher education

Reims has several important schools. In 2010, SciencesPo Paris, a top university for studying societies and politics, opened a campus in an old building called the Jesuit College of Reims. It offers programs for students from Europe and beyond.

The Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne was started in 1548 and helps thousands of students learn in many different subjects. It also helps people who already work to improve their skills.

Another well-known school in Reims is NEOMA Business School, which began as the Advanced Business School of Reims in 1928 and changed its name in 2000.

Notable residents

Reims has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Some famous individuals born in Reims include Adolphe d'Archiac, a geologist and paleontologist, and Jean Baudrillard, a cultural theorist and philosopher. Other notable residents are Olivier de Benoist, a comedian, and Nicolas Bergier, a scholar of Roman roads.

The city also saw the birth of Brodinski, a musical artist and DJ, and Roger Caillois, an intellectual. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who served as Minister of Finance under King Louis XIV, was also from Reims. Additionally, Anne-Sophie Da Costa, a boxer, and Jean Del Val, an actor, were born there.

Reims has produced many talented artists and athletes, including Rose Delaunay, an opera singer, and Jean-Baptiste Drouet, a marshal of France who served in Napoleon's army. Hugo Ekitike, a professional footballer, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, a world champion cyclist, are also from Reims. The city’s rich history continues with figures like Robert Pires, a World Cup winner and footballer, and Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, a well-known television journalist.

Climate

Reims has an oceanic climate, which means its weather is influenced by being far from the ocean. This helps keep temperatures mild on average, but the city can still experience very hot or very cold weather at times. Because of its position, Reims often has cloudy skies and low pressure, but it does not get too much rain.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Reims is twinned with:

• [Florence], Italy (1954)
• [Brazzaville], Congo (1961)
• [Canterbury], England, United Kingdom (1962)
• [Salzburg], Austria (1964)
• [Aachen], Germany (1967)
• [Arlington County], United States (2004)
• [Kutná Hora], Czech Republic (2008)
• [Nagoya], Japan (2018)