Chronicles of a Traveller: Reims: A French City Not Only Every Lasallian Must Visit

Notre Dame de Reims

Reims might not be very popular like Paris, but for a champagne connoisseur and a Lasallian, this rustic city is very significant. Some of the best-tasting champagne brands originate from this part of France. Lasallians know this place as the birthplace of St.John Baptiste de La Salle - the founder of the Christian Schools Brothers.

Reims is a decent two-hour drive away from Paris. From Paris, you will be traversing national roads and expressways northward, but for tourists travelling in private cars, I strongly recommend using national roads because French villages where they transect are simply captivating - you can't help but stop and take a shot of those antic houses. Aside from that, country roads are free of charge unlike expressways.

What to See in Reims?

Notre Dame de Reims

Counterpart of Notre Dame De Paris, this 13th century sacred destination played a very significant role in the history of French royalty. The kings of France were once crowned here. This gothic-inspired cathedral dominates the skyline of Reims and can easily be seen from afar. In fact, when you enter the road leading to the centre of the city, this is the structure that you will immediately notice. What is so conspicuous about this Cathedral is the presence of medieval statues on its west front portals. It looks eerie, but definitely fascinating. Trivia: the stained glass was a work of the famous Russian painter, Marc Chagall!

Stained Glass

Joan of Arc Museum

Not far away from Rheims Cathedral is a museum dedicated to one of my favourite personalities in history, Joan of Arc, a martyr and a saint. Her heroic and positive contribution in French history is immortalised and concretised by this museum. In retrospect, she supported King Charles VII in taking back France from England during the Hundred Years' War.

House of St. John baptise de La Salle

The very reason why Lasallians flock to this city, Hotel de la Cloche or Hotel de la Salle, is well-known to the Tourism Department of the city. In fact, the person on duty would immediately suppose the inquirer is a pupil or a teacher in a La Salle school. The house is now a museum where a small number of brothers live. To gain access inside, a visitor must secure a reservation which I didn't have when I visited the place. However, the fact that I stepped on the door of the founder's birthplace was enough for me. I can finally say that mission is accomplished.