The Boulevard Diancourt, which skirts the Square St. Nicaise, begins at the Rond-Point St. Nicaise.
This square was much cut up by the bombardments, and by the trenches and defensive works made there during the war (photo above).
The square contains two eminences, from the top of which there is a fine panoramic view of Rheims.
The photograph on page [27] was taken from the eminence nearest the Rond-Point St. Nicaise.
The other eminence is crowned by a limestone tower—all that remains of the ancient city ramparts.
Follow the Boulevard Diancourt to the Place Dieu-Lumière.
The name Dieu-Lumière, borne by the old gate through which Joan-of-Arc and the Dauphin entered Rheims, was not derived, as supposed at the Renaissance, from the Sun-God Apollo, but from the old Gate Dieu-li-Mire (God the Physician), so called in the Middle Ages on account of the proximity of a Cistercian hospital.
Cross the square and take the Rue Dieu-Lumière on the right to the Place St.-Timothée. The wood-panelled houses, whose loges faced the Place St.-Timothée, were destroyed by the bombardments of April-September, 1918, except the one at the corner of the Rue St. Julien. This house, though severely damaged, has retained its butcher's stall with 17th century wooden balustrading.
Take the Rue St. Julien on the left to the Place St.-Remi, in which stands the Church of St. Remi.