Reims in Marne, Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, France — Western Europe
Palais du Tau
The Bishop's Palace
Photographed by Kevin W., June 29, 2015
1. Palais du Tau Marker
Former archdiocese, today museum of the cathedral works and treasure.
English translation:
Originally the archbishop's residence, the Palais du Tau owes its name to it being shaped like the Greek letter Tau. Shortly before 1500, William Briçonnet endowed a large, bright room of honor with flamboyant decorations which included, among others, feasts of the Coronations. Two centuries later, Charles-Maurice Le Tellier transformed the home to a more classical style. Since 1972, it has been a museum displaying original sculpture, tapestries and the cathedral treasury. In particular, it holds the reliquary of the Holy Ampoule, used for anointing royalty. This miraculous oil associated with the baptism of Clovis was once kept in the Basilica of St. Remi, the memorial shrine of the coronations.
Erected by la ville de Reims. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1500.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 49° 15.175′ N, 4° 2.015′ E. Marker was in Reims, Grand Est (Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne), in Marne. It was on Place du Cardinal Luçon just north of Rue
this page online
Regionally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it found itself in what was once a French colony, the Roman Empire, and specifically the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Palais du Tau / Palace of Tau (a few steps from this marker); Architectures romantiques et modernistes / Romantic and Modernist Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Médiathèque Jean Falala / Jean Falala Multimedia Library (about 90 meters away); Cathédrale Notre-Dame (about 90 meters away); Cathédrale (about 90 meters away); Maison du Trésorier du Chapitre de la Cathédral (about 120 meters away); Statue de Jeanne d’Arc / Statue of Joan of Arc (about 120 meters away); Le Trésor / The Treasury (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reims.
Other markers no longer nearby. Cathédral Notre-Dame (was within shouting distance
Photographed by Kevin W., June 29, 2015
2. Palais du Tau Marker
Western end of the Palais du Tau.
Photographed by Kevin W., June 29, 2015
3. Palais du Tau
Français:
Lieu de séjour des rois de France pendant les cérémonies du couronnement, le palais du Tau - ancient palais de l'archevêque de Reims - présente aujourd'hui la mémoire de la cathédrale et la spendeur de sacres. Sculptures, tapisseries, costumes, ornements et pièces d'orfèvrere constituent un trésor exceptionnel, du Moyen-Age au XIXe siècle.
English:
Used to host coronation ceremonies for the Kings of France, nowadays the Palais du Tau - the former palace of the Archbishop of Reims - offers the memory of the cathedral and the splendour of the coronations that took place there. Sculptures, tapestries, costumes, ornaments and pieces of gold and silver add to an exceptional collection of treasure, dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
German translation not transcribed.
Lieu de séjour des rois de France pendant les cérémonies du couronnement, le palais du Tau - ancient palais de l'archevêque de Reims - présente aujourd'hui la mémoire de la cathédrale et la spendeur de sacres. Sculptures, tapisseries, costumes, ornements et pièces d'orfèvrere constituent un trésor exceptionnel, du Moyen-Age au XIXe siècle.
English:
Used to host coronation ceremonies for the Kings of France, nowadays the Palais du Tau - the former palace of the Archbishop of Reims - offers the memory of the cathedral and the splendour of the coronations that took place there. Sculptures, tapestries, costumes, ornaments and pieces of gold and silver add to an exceptional collection of treasure, dating from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
German translation not transcribed.
Photographed by Phototypie Baudinier, circa 1914
4. Ruines de REIMS - Palais Archi-Episcopal / The Bishops-Palace
The Reims Cathredral and neighboring Bishop's Palace were heavily damaged by the German bombardment of the city on September 18-19, 1914, as depicted on this postcard view of the damaged palace. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 495 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2015, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 24, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
