Cathédrale Notre Dame

Imagine the egos, extravagance and the over-the-top costumes of a French royal coronation… The focal point of all the bejewelled pomposity was Reims’ cathedral, a Gothic edifice begun in 1211 – and mostly completed 100 years later – on a site occupied by churches since the 5th century. The single most famous event to take place here was the coronation of Charles VII, with Joan of Arc at his side, on 17 July 1429. The structure, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1991, will celebrate its 800th anniversary in 2011. To get the most impressive first view, approach the cathedral from the west, along rue Libergier.

Seriously damaged by artillery and fire during WWI, the 139m-long cathedral is more interesting for its dramatic history than its heavily restored architectural features – repaired during the interwar years, thanks, in part, to significant donations from the American Rockefeller family.

The finest stained-glass windows are the western facade’s 12-petalled great rose window; its cobalt-blue neighbour below; and the rose window in the north transept (to the left as you walk from the entrance to the high altar), above the Flamboyant Gothic organ case (15th and 18th centuries) topped with a figure of Christ. Nearby is a 15th-century wooden astronomical clock. There are windows by Chagall (1974; a sign explains each panel) in the central axial chapel (directly behind the high altar) and, two chapels to the left, you’ll find a statue of Joan of Arc in full body armour (1901); there’s a second statue of her outside on the square, to the right as you exit the cathedral. The tourist office (50m north of the cathedral) rents audioguides (one/two people €5/9) with self-paced tours of the cathedral.

Feeling as strong as Goliath? (Look for his worn figure up on the west facade, held in place with metal straps.) Then consider climbing 250 steps up the cathedral tower on a one-hour tour. Book at the Palais du Tau.