This is the oldest church in Reims. The exterior of this basilica is in huge contrast with Reims Cathedral. It is early Gothic and very somber, very rustic. Inside, the choir is set up behind the portals, made of marble columns connected in the middle by large baroque arches. The church has both Gothic and Romanesque features. Most of the stained glass was destroyed during WWI; the remaining ones are the windows of the second and third levels, the rose window behind the choir and five more windows across from the choir. On the side of the choir between two columns you can see thirteenth to fourteenth-century biblical scenes done in lead on stone. In the back of the choir you can see the tomb of Saint Remi. The tomb is surrounded by statues of cardinals. On one of the columns there is a sign indicating the spot where Clovis was baptized in year 498. Clovis was the first Christian French king and his story is depicted in a lot of paintings all over France.
The church has an organ that was rebuilt several times and organ recitals can be heard every week on Sundays.
Around the corner there is Saint-Remi Museum. (Address: 53 rue Simon, phone: 33 03 26 85 23 36, open: daily 2pm – 6:30pm, Sat. and Sun. 2pm – 7pm, closed: Jan. 1, May 1, July 14, Nov. 1 and 11, Dec. 25. When some of the rooms in the museum are closed, the entrance is free. Also, free entrance first Sunday of the month.)
The most interesting parts of the museum are a collection of tapestries depicting the life of St. Remi and well-preserved 12th-13th century chapter house with Romanesque columns and windows.