Reims Cathedral

Fire destroys the 12th century cathedral

Jean d'Orbais builds the first level of the choir, the ambulatory and the adjoining chapels.

Laying of the corner stone by the Archbishop Aubry de Humbert.

Villard de Honnecourt visits the site and sketches the construction site in his album.

Construction of the transept up to the rose and the last spans of the nave.

The chapter acquires the terrain for the construction of the western façade.

Populace revolts. Construction is halted.

The chapter solemnly enters the choir (choir, western spans of the nave, northern portal and vaulted transepts).

Beginning of the construction of the western façade under Jean le Loup.

Gaucher de Reims succeeds to Jean le Loup for 8 years. Puts the statues on the western façade and completes the backside of the portals.

Construction of the rose level and the vaults of the 5 first spans of the nave.

Interior of the cathedral is finished.

Completion of the main structure up to the base of the gallery of Kings and beginning of the roof under Robert de Coucy.

Construction of the gallery of the Kings.

Works on the upper parts of the western towers by Collard de Givry.

Completion of the south-eastern tower.

Completion of the north-eastern tower.

A fire destroys the spire crossing and the roofing.

Completion of the steeple of the Angel.

Restoration of the wooden roof.

Restoration of the gables of the transept.

Construction of the southern gable.

Restoration of the upper galleries of the nave.

The chapter decides not to build the four other towers, gables and seven steeples.

Destruction of the southern rose in a storm.

First restoration of the western portals.

Reparation of the western façade and sculptures.

Second restoration of the western portals.

Restoration of the higher levels (galleries, gables, towers) by Arveuf.

Works on the apse under Viollet-le-Duc.

Restoration of the galleries by Millet and Ruprich-Robert.

First bombardment with flame bombs against the cathedral. The building is hit by 300 bombs up to 1918.

Rockefeller donation for the restoration of the cathedral.

Reconstruction of the concrete framing by Henri Deneux.

Rededication of the cathedral.

End of the renovation of the northern façade.

End of the restoration of the arching of the great portal.
Visit of pope John Paul II for the 1500th anniversary of the baptism of Clovis by Saint Remi.

End of the restoration of the north-western tower.