Place Royale Louis XV , Reims, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

Place Royale Louis XV is a paved royal square in the centre of Reims, named after the bronze statue of King Louis XV that stands in its middle. It is one of the most elegant open spaces in the city, framed by handsome 18th-century buildings and closed to parked cars so that its architecture can be seen unobstructed.

The story behind it

The square takes its name from Louis XV, king of France, whose statue was set up here as a tribute to the monarch. During the French Revolution, statues of kings were seen as symbols of the old regime, and the original figure was taken down and destroyed.

The statue you see today is a later replacement. It is made of bronze and dates from 1818, and it shows Louis XV dressed as a Roman emperor, a common way of presenting rulers as heirs of ancient grandeur. Reims was the traditional coronation city of French kings, so a royal square here suits the city's long link with the monarchy.

What to look for

• The bronze statue of Louis XV at the centre of the square, where the king wears Roman imperial dress rather than the clothes of his own day.
• The harmonious buildings around the edges, which are among the finest in Reims and give the square its calm, balanced look.
• The open paved surface itself, now free of parked cars, which lets you take in the whole composition from one side to the other.
• The Hôtel de Ville of Reims on the square, whose facade is worth a slow look from across the paving.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 15 to 20 minutes to look at the statue and the buildings around the square, longer if you like to sit and watch the city go by.
• The square is an open public space in the street, so you can walk through it at any time and there is nothing to book.
• Soft morning or late afternoon light shows the facades best, and the paved area is quieter outside busy lunch hours.
• The cathedral of Reims is a short walk away, so the square fits naturally into a wider stroll through the historic centre.

See it on a quest

The quest Become the King in Reims passes through this square, which suits its royal theme. You walk to the square as one stop on a longer route through the area, the app tells you about the place when you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.