The sacristy occupied the lower storey of the square, pointed-arch tower.
Several ancient statues were placed at the entrance to the Choir: St Remi, with a woman in late 15th century dress kneeling at his feet; a Virgin offering grapes to the Infant Jesus in her arms (late 15th century) and a large Christ Crucified, dated from the middle of the 16th century. A beautiful 18th century lectern of carved wood, representing an eagle standing on a massive three-sided pedestal of red and white marble, stood in front of the Choir.
BRIMONT FORT
To visit the Fort of Brimont, skirt the church on the side of the portal staircase, then take the road seen on the photograph on p. [152]. The Fort is about 400 yards further on.
The Defences North of Rheims and the Fighting in that Sector
The Fort of Brimont, completed by the Battery of the Cran de Brimont about a mile to the east, and on the west by the Loivre Battery, mentioned on page [151], sweeps the whole country north of Rheims as far as the banks of the Aisne, Suippe, Retourne and the Aisne-Marne canal, the Rheims-Neufchâtel, Rheims-Vouziers, Rheims-Rethel and Rheims-Laon roads, and the Rheims-Laon and Rheims-Charleville railways. About five miles east of Brimont and four miles east of Rheims is the position of Berru (see p. [165]), extending along a front of about six miles, via the hills of Berru and Nogent l'Abbesse. Intended by those who planned it to guard the valley of the Suippe, the Rheims-Rethe and Rheims-Vouziers roads, as well as the Rheims-Charleville and Rheims-Châlons-sur-Marne railways, it comprises the Fort of Witry (about 150 feet in altitude), the batteries of La Vigie de Berru (870 feet), and the fort and batteries of Nogent-l'Abbesse (670 feet).
The roads shown on the above map are those followed by the Third Itinerary (see p. [160].)