Reims Cathedral
Church and episcopal seat in Reims, France / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Reims Cathedral?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Notre-Dame de Reims (/ˌnɒtrə ˈdɑːm, ˌnoʊtrə ˈdeɪm, ˌnoʊtrə ˈdɑːm/;[2][3][4] French: [nɔtʁə dam də ʁɛ̃s] ⓘ; meaning "Our Lady of Reims"),[lower-alpha 1] known in English as Reims Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the French city of the same name, the archiepiscopal see of the Archdiocese of Reims. The cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was the traditional location for the coronation of the kings of France. Reims Cathedral is considered to be one of the most important pieces of Gothic architecture.[5] The cathedral, a major tourist destination, receives about one million visitors annually.[6] It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.[7]
| Reims Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Cathedral of Our Lady of Reims | |
French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims | |
 Façade of the cathedral, looking northeast | |
  Reims Cathedral Location in France | |
| 49°15′14″N 4°2′3″E | |
| Location | Place du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims |
| Country | France |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Reims |
| Associated people | Clovis I |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Jean d'Orbais Jean-le-Loup Gaucher of Reims Bernard de Soissons |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | High Gothic |
| Years built | 1211–1345 |
| Groundbreaking | 1211 (1211) |
| Completed | 1275 (1275) |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 149.17 m (489.4 ft) |
| Floor area | 6,650 m2 (71,600 sq ft) |
| Number of towers | 2 |
| Tower height | 81 m (266 ft) |
| Bells | 2 (in south tower) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Reims (Seat) |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Éric de Moulins-Beaufort |
| Priest in charge | Jean-Pierre Laurent |
| Part of | Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, Reims |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, vi |
| Reference | 601-001 |
| Inscription | 1991 (15th Session) |
| Official name | Cathédrale Notre-Dame |
| Designated | 1862, 1920[1] |
The cathedral church is thought to have been founded by the bishop Nicasius in the early 5th century. Clovis was baptized a Christian here by Saint Remigius, the bishop of Reims, about a century later. He was the first Frankish king to receive this sacrament. Construction of the present Reims Cathedral began in the 13th century and concluded in the 14th century. A prominent example of High Gothic architecture, it was built to replace an earlier church destroyed by fire in 1210. Although little damaged during the French Revolution, the present cathedral saw extensive restoration in the 19th century. It was severely damaged during World War I and the church was again restored in the 20th century.
Since the 1905 law on the separation of church and state, the cathedral has been owned by the French state, while the Catholic church has an agreement for its exclusive use. The French state pays for its restoration and upkeep.[7]