PSMVReims (51)

The study of the city center of Reims aims to enhance the city’s exceptional heritage while integrating it into contemporary frameworks. Strategically located at the crossroads of major roads and on the banks of the Vesle River, Reims' historical study examines the key stages of its development: the evolution of the city’s fortifications over the centuries and the urban breakthroughs that structure the fabric and organize circulation.

Reims is, by nature, a mineral city, known for its public spaces and numerous squares. Their constellation offers remarkable typological diversity, from grand ceremonial squares to more intimate crossroads squares.

Among the most iconic features of Reims is the Voie du Sacre, the historic route taken by the Kings of France to their coronation at the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims. This pathway constitutes a major axis for understanding the city’s historical and symbolic identity. Also notable is the network of three squares, which creates a dialogue between the grand monuments and public spaces, offering a unique urban scenography. These elements reveal the monumental approach to public space, celebrating the city's historical grandeur.

Nature, on the other hand, takes on a more intimate role. It primarily resides in the heart of urban islands, hidden behind walls only to spill out onto public spaces. Its introverted nature creates a poetic contrast with the mineral quality of the squares and streets, providing an organic dimension to the urban experience.

This study reassesses the historical frameworks of Reims to better integrate them with contemporary urban challenges. The goal is to reinvent public spaces and create designs that respect the past while adapting to the needs of today and tomorrow. By highlighting its historical roots, Reims asserts its unique identity and shines as a model of harmony between heritage and modernity.