RELIQUARY OF ST. ANDRÉ
The Rue Cérès ends at the Esplanade Cérès (photo, p. [87]), which was made outside the old ramparts near the Cérès Gate. The name Cérès is derived from a tower that long served as a prison (carcer, whence by corruption chair, cère, and then by false mythological association, Cérès). It was in this tower (no longer existing, but famous as early as the 9th century) that, according to the chansons de geste, Ogier the Dane, handed over by Charlemagne to the custody of the Bishop of Rheims, was incarcerated.
From the Esplanade continue, if desired, by the Rue du Faubourg Cérès (greatly damaged by the bombardments), to the Church of St. André, a modern building erected by the architect Brunette.
It was struck several times by shells and will have to be rebuilt. As early as the first bombardment of September 4th, 1914, shell splinters damaged the doorway, transept, stained glass (part of which was 16th century and came from the old church), small organ, and the painting of the Baptism of Clovis. Subsequently, the vaulting and parts of the walls collapsed.
The Church possesses a precious reliquary of copper (15th century) and a statue of St. André (patron of the church) of painted and gilded stone, attributed without authority, to Pierre Jacques.
HÔTEL THIRET DE PRAIN IN 1916
19 Rue Eugène Desteuque.
Return to the Esplanade Cérès, turn to the left at the beginning of the Boulevard de la Paix, then to the right into the Rue Eugène Desteuque.
At No. 19 of this street are the ruins of the Hôtel Thiret de Prain.