Tomb of Saint Remi

Saint Remi, or Saint Remigius, is one of the central characters which figured in the early history of France. The king of the Franks, Clovis I forges a strong relationship with the Bishop of Reims who was Saint Remi. It was during this time that Clovis converted to Christianity with Saint Remi baptizing him. Upon Saint Remi’s death, Clovis proposed that a basilica be built where he was buried. The relationship of Clovis and Saint Remi could be said to have changed the course of France’s history as future kings of France would often be crowned here. This highlights the importance of the city of Reims as the one of birthplaces of France.

The current basilica is built around the tomb of Saint Remi. It can be found behind the main altar and it is actually quite difficult to miss. There is a richly decorated structure which forms the tomb. Numerous figures adorn the tomb, none of which I recognize. There is an opening where you could see inside but it was difficult to see since the tomb is cordoned off. You can still approach the tomb, but you won’t be able get close enough to touch. This is after all the centerpiece of the entire basilica.

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