Court House

This building serving as the seat of the Reims courthouse, was constructed on the site of the former Hôtel-Dieu, and was inaugurated in 1839.. It was architect Auguste Caristie, with Nicolas Serrurier, who designed the new building, while Narcisse Brunette was in charge of construction work, particularly the façade that can still be seen today. The building was not spared by the Great War: its completely destroyed interior was rebuilt in 1929, but its façade that had remained intact was simply restored. The courthouse is located on Cardinal-Luçon square, which constitutes the forecourt of the cathedral. The square is named after Louis-Joseph Luçon, the archbishop of Reims, who was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Pius X. He was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1922 for his countless services to the country during the war. Further on your guided tour, you will have the opportunity to see the main façade of the building, which faces Vesle street, next to the opera house. On this square, there is also an equestrian statue of the famous Joan of Arc. It was created by the sculptor Paul Dubois, who presented it at the French Artists’ Salon in 1895. There are 3 other replicas, in Paris, Strasbourg and Washington. The statue was inaugurated in Reims in 1896 by French President Félix Faure, and originally stood in front of the cathedral. It was moved here, opposite the courthouse, in 1938. A fitting way to pay tribute to this great heroine of French history!