Reims is the most populous city in the Marne department of France, with a population in 2013 of 182,592. The city lies 129 km northeast of Paris on the Vesle river, a tributary of the Aisne.
Founded by the Gauls, Reims became a major city in the Roman Empire. Reims later played a prominent ceremonial role in French monarchical history as the traditional site of the coronation of the kings of France. The royal anointing was performed at the Cathedral of Reims, which housed the Holy Ampulla of chrism allegedly brought by a white dove at the baptism of Frankish king Clovis I in 496. For this reason, Reims is often referred to in French as la cité des sacres.
Reims is recognized for the diversity of its heritage, ranging from Romanesque to Art-déco, and by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It also lies on the northern edge of the Champagne wine region and is linked to its production and export.