Founded by the Gauls, Reims became a major city of the Roman Empire.
Reims later played a prominent ceremonial role in French monarchical history as the traditional location for the coronation of the kings of France.
The royal unction took place in the Cathedral of Reims, where the Holy Ampoule of Peace, supposedly carried by a white dove at the baptism of the Frankish king Clovis I in 496, was kept.
For this reason, Reims is often called la cité des in French.
Reims is known for the diversity of its heritage, from Romanesque to Art Deco.
Reims Cathedral, the adjacent Palace of Thau and the Abbey of Saint-Rémy were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 due to their outstanding Romanesque and Gothic architecture and their historical significance to the French monarchy.
Reims is also located on the northern edge of the Champagne wine region and is associated with its production and exports.
Before the Roman conquest of northern Gaul, Reims served as the capital of the Remy tribe, founded c.
80 BC
During the conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar, the Remi allied themselves with the Romans and, through their loyalty during various Gallic revolts, gained special favor from the imperial power.
At its peak, during the Roman Empire, the city's population was 30,000–50,000, or perhaps as many as 100,000.
Reims was first called Durocortorum in Latin, thought to be derived from a Gaulish name meaning "Door of Cortoro".
The city later received its name from the Remi tribe.
The modern French name comes from the accusative case of the latter - Remos.
Christianity was established in the city by 260, when Saint Sixtus of Reims founded the Diocese of Reims.
Consul Jovinus, an influential supporter of the new faith, repelled the Alamanni who invaded Champagne in 336;