The Palais du Tau, right next to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims (map), was once the archbishop's residence. It also served as the residence for the many Kings of France who came to Reims for their coronation. That's a lot of royalty over the centuries!

It's now a museum holding artifacts and exhibits relating to the cathedral, especially its architecture, development and repair over the centuries, and the coronations of France's kings from 1223 to 1825.

Some of the cathedral's earliest and most notable statues and carvings are here, having been removed for preservation and replaced with copies. You can see the original smiling angel, and then admire the (wonderful) reproduction on the west facade of the cathedral. The original angel that was atop the spire is also at the Palais de Tau.

13th century head of Saint Jean, from the north tower of the Cathedral. The original statue was destroyed in 1914 and replaced with a copy in 1958.

The museum houses coronation robes, splendid tapestries and, in the Treasury, precious artifacts.

The Palais du Tau is also where you go to buy tickets for the walking tour of the cathedral towers. The hour-long tours are guided, in French, and are limited to 16 participants, so reserve your place and buy your tickets in advance if possible. You can save a few euros if you get a combined ticket for both the museum and the towers.

Palais du Tau
Rue Cardinal de Lorraine (map)
Reims, France
Tel: +33 (0) 3 26 47 81 79

Bust of a smiling angel, Palais du Tau.

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