Traveling in France #4: Reims Redux (Part 2 of 2)

Our return visit to Reims continues.

Following the departure, we enjoyed lunch at the same brasserie as before, Le Boulingrin.

The cuisine was delicious, especially the desserts.  Jean-Claude enjoyed cafe gourmand and Marie-Chantal savored a plum tartlette.

After lunch, we rambled around Reims and saw some new sights and familiar sights.

Marie-Chantal at the world headquarters of Veuve Clicquot champagne, her favorite

The Hotel de Ville (city hall) is impressive.

Hôtel de Ville

We returned to the cathedral.  Because the weather was near perfect, the facade looked even more amazing than before.  The clear sky and warm light from the afternoon sun made the facade glow. 

Inside, we spotted a large clock tucked away high in a corner.  The clock is ancient but it still keeps perfect time.

Next door, we visited the bishop's palace that is shaped like a T, the Palais du Tau.  Reims is famous for two reasons: champagne and the cathedral.  The cathedral is the site where most French kings were crowned.  The Palais du Tau played an important role in the coronation ceremonies, including hosting a post-coronation banquet for the newly crowned king in the large Salle du Festin (pictured below).  

The Palais du Tau is now a museum for artifacts from the cathedral.  Below is a replica of the crown used for the coronation of Louis XV.

We spotted another interesting artifact.  Reims is located in eastern France, not far from Germany.  During WWI, Reims suffered a lot of damage as the German army advanced on Reims and later when the French army retook Reims.  When the Germans attacked in 1914, the cathedral caught fire and was extensively damaged.  The lead covered roof melted and the molten lead flowed downward, including through the gargoyles around the edge of the roof.  Below is a photo of the aftermath, once the lead cooled.

The museum preserves one of the lead-spewing gargoyles. 

The Palais du Tau hosted a temporary exhibition dedicated to the Romanian princess Marie, who was both a modern royal and a talented artist.  She painted the lovely irises in the manuscript pictured below.  

While strolling, we spotted lovely flowers all over Reims.

In one of the squares, we spotted the same fountain as before, the Subé Fountain.  

This time, however, the sun made the Winged Victory statue on top gleam brightly.

In the same square, we spotted a very cool fountain.

Click on the video below to see the fountain in action.

While rambling around Reims, Marie-Chantal made a new friend, who is from out of town . . . way out.  

Naturally, we enjoyed some champagne during our visit.

Thanks for visiting Reims with us.