After many years of resisting conversion to Christianity, Clovis I (466-511), the first king of the Franks, was baptised in 496 by Remigius, Bishop of Reims and Apostle of the Franks.

The conversion of the king led to the conversion of all the Frankish nation.

Remigius died in 553, but in 1099 a grand abbey and basilica were constructed at the location of Clovis's baptism, and relics of Saint-Remi (as he was now known) were transferred here from Reims cathedral. Later additions to the buildings resulted in a beautiful blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

In the courtyard near the Basilica is a monument to the baptism of Clovis.

Baptism of Clovis, by Paul Dubois (1896).

There is also a statue of Clovis on the front of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame—the small one in the center of a line of kings over the main entrance.

You can get a good idea of the size of the Basilique Saint-Remi from the towers of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. It's about 1.7 kilometers (just over a mile) away (map).

Musée Saint-Remi

Next to the Basilique Saint-Remi is the small Musée Saint-Remi, housed in the beautiful Benedictine Abbey. The Museum exhibits range from prehistoric to regional military history.

If you want to combine culture and champagne, Saint-Remi is just around the corner from Champagne Taittinger, which offers tours and tastings. More...

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