Riems is dominated by the Cathedral Notre Dame.
Although the Cathedral was very seriously damaged in the WW I and then again in WW II it has been restored magnificently. What a job!
It understandable since Riems Cathedral is to the French what Westminster Abbey is to the English. It is where all the French kings have been crowned since the first French King Clovis was crowned in 496.We didn't get to see a lot of the inside because it was Sunday Mass. But what we did see whet our appetite for a follow up visit later in the week.
Next door to the Cathedral Notre Dame is the former Bishops Palace called the Palais du Tau. Now a the Cathedral museum.
Inside are all sorts of objects, most reproductions, relating to the coronation of the kings and the artworks of the Cathedral.Coronation Gown worn by the last King of France...
French Crown....
Sacred Chalice...
Ballroom size tapestries...
There is a whole room is devoted to Joan of Arc who came here with the Dauphin to get him crowned Charles VII and in doing so united the French people again just in time to stop the nation being completely overrun by the English. St Joan was only a little lady....
As we wander through the building in areas that have yet to be restored there is still reminders of the wars that laid waste to Riems, twice....
Although most of the heart of Reims was badly damaged during the Wars it is amazing how much remains and how much has been recreated. It is a beautiful autumn day as we wander the kilometre or so from the Cathedral to the Basilica St Remi.
Inside there is a small Baptism service in progress. They are just getting to the part where the Priest dunks the baby and the baby cries.St Remi Basilica dates from 1007 and houses the Tomb of the good St Remi who converted Clovis to Christianity and crowned him King of the Franks, thereby creating France the nation. St Remi is also the patron saint of Champagne or Cognac or Fruit Juice or something. The size of the Basilica marks him as someone really important.
The stained glass windows absolultely dazzle...
And some of the marble sculptures are extraodinary...
St Remi's tomb is very impressive as well...
We must be getting out of practice as our feet begin to hurt after only a few hours or walking. We wander through the modern apartment blocks on the way to the canal...
and make our way back to the car along the canal....
