Reims Cathedral – Where Kings Were Crowned 👑✨
🏰 The "Coronation Cathedral" of France 📍 Reims, France 📌 Key Features: Gothic masterpiece surpassing even Notre-Dame de Paris in grandeur Sacred stage for 31 French monarchs (1027–1789) Clovis' baptism site (496 AD) & Joan of Arc's triumph (1429) ⚜️ A Stone Chronicle of Power 1️⃣ Perfect Symmetry: Hypnotic rose windows + twin spires framing a statue-studded façade (don’t miss the "Smiling Angel" 😇) 2️⃣ Joan of Arc’s Statue: Rare honor for a commoner—her banner-waving figure commemorates Charles VII’s coronation 3️⃣ Engineering Marvel: Precise Gothic proportions make the vaults seem to float heavenward 🆚 vs. Paris’ Notre-Dame ✔️ Larger & more ornate ✔️ Zero crowds (for now!) ✔️ Free entry (Paris charges €11+) Fun Fact: The "Holy Ampulla" (oil vial for coronations) was later exposed as a 9th-century fake! 📸 Photo Ops Golden hour on the west façade (statues glow!) Chagall’s stained glass (blue hues = pure magic) Cloister garden for medieval vibes #GothicArchitecture #Reims #FranceTravel