Paris1972-Versailles2003

Let me bring you back to the source of French monarchy and history of France. We have been attach to the city even if by my dear late wife Martine who used to come here as a young girl to pick grapes in the Champagne fields to help her studies etc. We came early invited by the maternal grandmother Fourré and tour the city and the region. We have come back with my parents and later my boys. It is with great pleasure that I get to tell again on this magnificent monument with new pictures found in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me. Therefore, here is my take again on the Cathédrale Notre Dame of Reims, part II !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

This is a must to visit, one of the greatest Cathedrals ever, more history in it you can have a lifetime to trace. It is not only for the kings althought that is a big part but also the French resistance in WWI, and a symbol of France to the world. This is the Cathédrale Notre Dame of Reims, in the department 51 of the Marne, new region of Grand Est , and in my belle France , The Cathédrale of Notre-Dame de Reims construction began in the early 13C.  Consecrated to the Virgin Mary, it was completed in the 14C.  This is one of the major achievements of Gothic art in France.

The western façade of the Cathédrale Notre Dame has a very rich statuary. The number of statues adorning it is indeed 2 303. The cathedral is distinguished by a rare unit of style, despite a construction that stretched over more than two hundred years (mainly in the 13C) the central portal has as its general theme the Virgin and its glorification, which is exceptional. It is usually the Christ Savior, the cornerstone of the Church, which is located at the middle of the main gate to welcome the visitor;   The right gate is dedicated to the end of time and the Last Judgement; The portal on the left includes Saints and Martyrs. You can see the statue of the angel in the smile, emblem of the city of Reims.

The large rose window with 12 meters in diameter surmounts the triforium, which cuts its arcading into stained-glass windows of the same shape. It shows the Resurrection of Christ, The 13C stained-glass windows were destroyed in a hurricane in 1580. They were completely blown out during the bombings of 1917 in WWI. The tracery of the rose window is identical to that of the rose window of the north transept. In the center, Christ draped in a red cloak reveals his wounds, surrounded by a row of angels carrying the instruments of the Passion, then by the apostles. The current stained-glass windows was created in 1937, largely respect the iconography established by the original. In the upper spandrel, Christ crowns the Virgin. To pay homage to the architects and master glaziers of the cathedral, the facial features of four of them are evoked in those of four apostles , The small Rose window shows the litanies of the Virgin installed in 1937, Mary and Christ are surrounded by 24 medallions representing the allegories of the litanies of the Virgin. At the top of the ogive: Mary Mediatrix refuge of sinners.

There is a large model of Reims Cathedral, acquired in 2014 for the Palais du Tau (see post) by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux at Christie’s in Paris, can be seen in the permanent exhibition. However, on our day there it was lent inside the cathedral and it was a treat, The work is made of carved walnut and oak and dates from 1851. 96 cm high, 67.5 cm wide: this is an exceptional size for a cathedral model. Of great finesse of execution, it is dated and signed, which is also rare for an architectural model. Written in pen, the name “Logerot” appears on a label. Was Logerot a Compagnon du Devoir? Was this model designed as a prototype for a restoration or is it a creation in the field of decorative arts? We do not know. One thing is certain, however: this model testifies to the enthusiasm for Reims Cathedral in the mid-19C, after the coronation of Charles X.

The city of Reims on the Cathedral: https://www.reims.fr/la-ville-de-reims/reims-et-son-patrimoine/cathedrale-notre-dame-de-reims-et-le-palais-du-tau

The official Cathédrale Notre Dame of Reims: https://www.cathedrale-reims.fr/en

The Official Friends of the Cathedral of Reims: http://www.amis-cathedrale-reims.fr/

The Reims tourist office on the Notre Dame Cathedral: https://www.reims-tourisme.com/en/activite/cathedrale-notre-dame-de-reims/

There you go folks, you have all you need for a splendid trip to Reims, and again very much recommended to see the Notre Dame Cathedral. Gorgeous architecture and history of France! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Cathédrale Notre Dame of Reims, part II as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!