Rheims and the Battles for its Possession

by Pneu Michelin

The monumental façade which faces the Court of Honour is Louis XVI. in style.

The second court, that behind the main buildings, is bordered by a cloister built by the Rheims architect, Nicolas Bonhomme, in the first part of the 18th century, in place of the 13th and 14th century cloister destroyed in 1707. The buttresses of the side which abuts on the church of St. Remi, and those of the opposite side, are 12th century.

The marble fountain with bronze furnishings, in the centre of the court, was formerly in the Place St. Nicaise. It was erected in 1750 from designs by Coustou.

THE CLOISTER AND FOUNTAIN OF THE HÔTEL-DIEU

THE GRAND STAIRCASE OF THE HÔTEL-DIEU
Through the windows is seen the North Front of St. Remi.

At the back of the court, on the left, is an exceedingly fine Louis XVI. staircase with wrought-iron handrail (photo above).

The Lapidary Museum, which was formerly in the crypt of the archi-episcopal chapel (see p. [65]), was installed under one of the galleries of the cloister in 1896. Of the tombstones, storied floor-tiles, and various carvings which it contains, the most remarkable is the Tomb of Jovinus.