Palace of Tau

The Palais du Tau is the Archbishop's Palace in Reims.

The building was built in 1498-1509 on the site of a Gallo-Roman villa. The villa had been preserved to the 6th or 7th century and was later converted into a Carolingian royal palace. The first recorded use of the name Palais du Tau dated in 1131. You derives from the layout of the building, which resembles the letter T, Greek Tau.

The oldest part of the palace is still preserved, the chapel of 1207. During the gothic ensemble which was largely built in the years 1498 to 1509 new and Baroque 1671-1710 by Jules Hardouin -Mansart and Robert de Cotte. On 19 September 1914, was severely damaged by fire and not restored until the end of World War II.

The kings of France spent the night before her coronation in Notre- Dame de Reims in this building. Before the coronation of the future King was dressed there, and after the ceremony, a banquet in the Salle du Tau of the palace took place, where an oversized chimney can be found from the 15th century. The first recorded banquet was held in the year 990, the last in 1825.

The palace houses since 1972, the Musée de l' Oeuvre, the sculptures and tapestry, as well as relics of the cathedral and other objects which recall the coronation issue. Among the memorabilia is also a talisman that the Harun ar - Rashid once Charles had given the Great. This golden piece of jewelry that is studded with pearls, sapphires and emeralds, also contains a cross relic. In addition, in the Palais du Tau is issued the royal crown and the coronation mantle.

The Palais du Tau, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saint Rémi Abbey were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

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