It is ecclesiastically significant because it houses the relics of Saint Remi who converted Clovis, the King of the Franks to Christianity and baptized him in Reims in 496.
It is architecturally significant because it started out as a small Romanesque building in the 6th century, suffered some at its first unsuccessful 11th century renovations (parts collapsed) and finally, with some Gothic-style renovations in the 12th century, ended up as a combination of the two architectural styles.
These heavy and somewhat ugly buttresses helped stabilize the church so it didn't collapse...again.
Some of the original 12th century stained glass remains. This is a very Romanesque wall that has had the openings filled in.
If it's pointy but kind of fat, it's an early Gothic arch.
But look around the sides at the round Romanesque arches.
Although some sources say the stained glass all dates back to the 12th century, I don't think so. This abstract design just isn't right for that era.
To the left is a tomb. Interred in it may be the archbisops of Reims, several princes and King Louis IV of France who are all supposed to be buried in this monastery.
This looks like original stained glass.
This is lovely, but I'm not so sure it is original.
This shows the different kinds of arches.
And here's the obligatory organ picture.
At first this just looks like a nice diagonally patterned stone wall.
But when you get closer, you can see some of the detail.
Outside are parts of the old abbey. The scupture shows St. Remi(gius) baptizing Clovis.
Okay, gentle readers. This is the last cathedral/church tour for this 2012 trip to France. Next post it's on to something else.
