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1914

On 19 September 1914, the city of Reims underwent an eight-hour bombardment from German troops deployed in the surrounding hills. At 3pm that day, enemy shelling set fire to the scaffolding around the north tower. The blaze spread to all part of the carpentry superstructure, which collapsed. The bells in the tower melted in the intense heat and lead poured through the stone gargoyles.

The cathedral was rebuilt after the war thanks to the generosity of our American allies ->article4221] and the restored building was inaugurated in a solemn Mass that was celebrated by the Papal Legate on 10 July 1938.

Western Front 1914-1918

Cathédrale pendant la guerre de 1914
Cathédrale de Reims en feu
Intérieur de la Cathédrale