The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims is one of the greatest masterpieces of Gothic architecture in the world. For centuries, it was the coronation church of the kings of France. During World War I, it became one of the most powerful symbols of the destruction wrought by modern warfare.
German artillery first struck the cathedral on September 19, 1914, setting fire to scaffolding on the north tower and causing severe damage. Over the next four years, the cathedral was hit by approximately 300 shells. By war’s end, its roof was gone, its stained glass shattered, many of its sculptures damaged, and its interior gutted by fire — yet its walls still stood.
Margaret Sheldon visited the ruined cathedral on January 9, 1919, during her motor tour through the former war zone. Her diary entry describes the devastation with emotion, noting the shattered beauty of what had been one of Europe’s finest churches. The sight of the damaged cathedral was a profound experience for Margaret and many American visitors in the months after the war.
The cathedral was painstakingly restored over the following decades, with major work completed by 1938 — just in time for it to survive World War II largely intact. Today it stands once again in full glory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s most visited landmarks.
Location
View Reims Cathedral on Google Maps
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 