The importance of the cathedral goes back to the late 5th century when Clovis,king of the Franks, was baptised by St Remi, the bishop of Reims. The church we see today dates from 1211, bult after a fire destroyed the preceding carolingian structure. It is one of the great gothic cathedrals of northern France, renowned especially for its facade which is covered in carved statues and statuettes and surmounted by a rose window. The cathedral was where the kings of France were crpwned and the nave was enlarged to accommodate the crowds. It supports vaulting rising to 38 metres. The two towers were intended to be topped with spires but they were never completed. Together with the Basilica St Remi and the Tau Palace, the cathedral forms a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opening hours are 7.30am - 7.30pm daily except Sunday mornings. Guided visits are available in the summer months.