Reims – Champagne, France
Reims lies in the Champagne region of northeastern France and has long been one of the most historically important cities in the country. The city is famous for the magnificent Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims), a masterpiece of Gothic architecture where the kings of France were traditionally crowned for nearly a thousand years.
During the First World War the city suffered heavy damage as the front lines passed nearby, and the cathedral itself was severely damaged by artillery fire. Following the war, extensive restoration returned the cathedral and much of the historic center to their former appearance.
Today Reims remains both a major cultural center of the Champagne region and a city closely connected to the history of France.
