Reims, France

Reims (English traditionally Rheims) is a city of northern France, 144 km (89 miles) east-northeast of Paris. Its history can be traced back to the period of the Roman Empire. Reims played a very important role in French history, as... [more]

Reims (English traditionally Rheims) is a city of northern France, 144 km (89 miles) east-northeast of Paris. Its history can be traced back to the period of the Roman Empire.

Reims played a very important role in French history, as it was the place where the kings of France were crowned. Thus, the Cathedral of Reims, damaged by the Germans during the First World War but restored since, played the same role in France as Westminster Abbey did in England. It was there that was kept the Holy Ampulla ("Sainte Ampoule") containing the Saint Chrême (chrism), which allegedly was brought by a white dove (the Holy Spirit) at the baptism of Clovis in 496, and was used for the anointing, the most important part of the coronation of French kings.

Reims is often considered the capital of Champagne, an old province of France made world-famous by its Champagne sparkling wine, although in reality it is only the largest city of Champagne, but not its capital, being only a sous-préfecture of the Marne département.

At the 1999 census, there were 187,206 inhabitants (Rémois) in the city proper (commune) of Reims, while there were 291,735 inhabitants in the whole metropolitan area (French: aire urbaine).

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