Reims

Reims (pronounced: /ʀɛ̃s/) is the largest city in Voisey with 220 887 inhabitants in 2021. It is located in northern-west part of the department of Marne, in the northern-west part of Voisey. It is also the prefecture of the Marne. The inhabitants of Reims are called "Rémois".

Reims
City
City of Reims
Etymology: Riemen: land of the Rème (people who lived in this place at the beginning)
Country	Voisey
State	Champagne-Ardenne
Department	Marne
Founded	8400 BC
Government
• Mayor	Maurice Bruniot (UGC)
Area
• Total	4,702 km2 (1,815 sq mi)
• Land	4,702 km2 (1,815 sq mi)
Elevation	135 m (443 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	220 887
• Rank	1 st in Voisey
Demonym(s)	Rémoys, Rémoyse
Time zone	UTC+1
• Summer (DST)	+2

History

The Rémoys

The town of Reims was founded around 8400 BC on the banks of the Vesle river. Excavations carried out in certain places have shown that the town was already very important at the time. Numerous pieces of pottery and coins from faraway regions such as Southern Carélie and Austrie have been found here.

In fact, the town was an important commercial crossroads between present-day Carélie and Lutèce (whose merchants crossed the Ardennes to reach the town), as well as for merchants from Bessin who crossed the region on their way to present-day Brenne. The seigneury of Reims was thus very powerful. To the south, it was separated from Sparnacien by a chain of mountains rising to 286 m, forming a natural barrier. By buying and conquering territory from all sides, the seigneury of Reims (called Rémoys) came into contact with other more or less powerful seigneuries. In 1300, it was surrounded to the north by the lordships of Rethel (itself in difficulty with the very powerful lordship of Laon, called Laonoys) and Vouziers, to the east by the lordship of Sainte Ménehould (Ménehildoys), to the south by the lordships of Châlons-sur-Marne (Châlonoys) and Epernay (Sparnacien) and to the west by the lordships of Soissons (Soissonoys) and Fère-en-Tardenois (Feroys).

The construction of the "Notre Dame Marie Cathedral" (Our Lady Mary) begins in year 1211 and is finished in 1252. Its construction required extraordinary funds and donations from all over the seigneury. When completed in 1252, it was considered a masterpiece and reflected the wealth and power of the Seigneury of Reims. It is visible tens of kilometers around, making Reims, a city not to be missed.

In 1323, during the Great Storm, the city of Reims was partially flooded, not being located directly near the Vesle river. In addition, the river level did not rise significantly. However, the crops were destroyed and the inhabitants could only feed themselves on the bread, meat and wine. An estimated quarter of the population has left the city to seek refuge in the hills or surrounding villages for food and disease.

In 1345, the Rémoys took advantage of the weakness of the Châlonoys, which was at war with Voisey, to attack it. The war ended in 1347, when the Rémoys' troops entered the capital, Châlons-sur-Marne, victorious. However, Voisey took a very dim view of this action, seeing it as an admission of weakness from Reims. That same year, Voisey summoned Lord Humbert XI of Reims to return the town of Châlons to Voisey, or a state of war would be declared. Humbert XI, convinced of the strength of his army, and with the help of his ally the Ménehildoys (whose growing power of Voisey made him anxious), ignored the ultimatum and declared war on Voisey. Several furious battles ensued, in particular that of La Cheppe in February 1347, where Voisey suffered a crushing defeat, forcing it to retreat 30 km. In April 1347, Voisey lost the town of Vitry-le-François to the Rémoys. This was a crushing blow that allowed the troops of the Rémoyse Alliance to advance to the gates of the so-called ‘Sacred’ territory of Voisey, close to the capital. Humbert XI, aware of the difficulty of confronting the citadel of Saint Dizier (the real gateway to the ‘Sacred Territory’), decided to take it from the rear by bypassing it to the south. He expected fierce resistance, but the advance proved to be straightforward. Villages were taken one by one without any fighting, and after several weeks of marching, during which the Rémoyse and Ménehildienne troops rested very little, they reached the ‘Sacred Territory’. ‘The villages were deserted, the houses were empty, the harvest had not been harvested, the church bells had stopped ringing and the animals seemed to have disappeared. The song of a few birds seemed to be the only element of life in these places’. This is the account of Gontrand de Braisne, secretary to Lord Humbert XI and special envoy to the battlefield, who acted as his eyes and ears. In the early hours of 1 September 1347, the troops of the Rémoyse Alliance reached the outskirts of the town of Montier. ‘The fog did not seem to want to lift. The day before, it had rained enough to make the roads difficult to cross. Our soldiers are making difficult progress through the mud and puddles. The horses, carrying the supplies, get bogged down with the carts they pull in sometimes a metre of mud. The silence of the place does not bode well. And indeed, at high noon, the bells of Montier church suddenly rang out. We were all surprised and on our guard, so the troops stopped their advance. Suddenly, a horn sounded a few hundred metres away. The sound was so sudden and unexpected that a flock of birds flew out of the forest bordering the fields around us. I should have known that the voiseyiens would enjoy the scenery. A black cloud was inexorably approaching us. We didn't know what it was until it had sold the thick fog: arrows. In a few moments, dozens of men around me fell. And they did so without respite for a very long minute. We took cover wherever we could. Under a cart, a shield, a horse, a dead comrade. Once all the arrows had fallen, silence reigned again. Or almost. Only the groans of soldiers who had not been killed by those sharp objects pierced the silence and the morbidity of the place. But this was only the beginning of Montier's nightmare. Several hundred soldiers emerged from the village, hidden behind their shields of all shapes and sizes, and from the forest, with a deafening noise of galloping and shouting, another hundred horsemen rode straight towards us. They crossed the width of the road, piercing the hearts of the valiant Remoy soldiers with their cruelly sharp spears. Fierce Voiseyian infantrymen joined in these bloody duels, adding to the violence of the battle. After a few hours, the Voisey's soldiers and horsemen annihilated the Remoy column, and the last surviving soldiers were forced to run back in terror.’ This is Gontrand de Braisne's account of the Battle of Montier on 1 and 2 September 1347, which he witnessed from afar and which was a real fiasco for the troops of the Rémoyse Alliance. They were forced to retreat as far as Vitry-le-François. The strategy employed at Montier, which consisted of a wide retreat to weaken the enemy troops and then counter-attack, was used again on numerous occasions by Voisey, and has been dubbed the ‘Coup de Montier’. Thus, devastated by the defeat at Montier, the morale of the Rémoyses troops was at an all-time low. Another major blow came at the end of December 1347, when Voisey's troops recaptured Vitry-le-François after a three-week siege. Voisey inflicted a second defeat, at Pogny in February 1348, on the Ménehildian troops who were protecting the retreat of the Rémoyses troops. This was followed in March by a voiseyian victory at Givry and in June 1348 by the capture of Sainte Ménehould, capital of the Ménehildois, which was forced to lay down its arms. Voisey's inexorable advance towards Reims continued with the capture of Châlons in August 1348 after a two-month siege. Then came the battles of Mourmelon in September 1348 and Prunay in October 1348. Finally, the city of Reims fell to the voiseyian army in December 1348, following a two-month siege.

Integration in Voisey

The city of Reims becomes the seat of its own canton. It is the resurgence of its rivalry with the city of Châlons-sur-Marne, which, because of its smaller size, did not get the seat of the canton. However, to ease tensions, Voisey created a special canton for the city of Châlons-sur-Marne and its surroundings.

The city being at peace, economic activities that were restricted by war could be resumed and developed. The city of Reims is famous for its many spinning mills. The city is indeed a hub of the trade of fabrics, and textiles. The town first benefited from the trade of textiles from the Ardennes to Lutèce, and then developed its own business. Agriculture is also a strong point for the city. Indeed, the region of the Marne is a vast fertile plain, with Reims at its western end. There are twelve fairs a year, bringing together thousands of farmers, breeders and craftsmen from all over the region, but also many merchants who come from abroad to do business.

During the industrial revolution, the development of the city is significant. First of all, Reims benefits from rail. The neighbouring railway network creates its first line between Chaumont and Reims, nearly 200 km that allow to really bring Reims closer to the political heart of the country. The rail system is rapidly developed and Reims becomes an important railway junction to reach the Ardennes or the Aisne (north-western end of the country). Then, many factories are created, mainly in the textile field. Many spinning mills employ several thousand inhabitants. There are many distilleries that produce wine and champagne.

During the industrial revolution, the development of the city is significant. First of all, Reims benefits from rail. The neighbouring railway network creates its first line between Chaumont and Reims, nearly 200 km that allow to really bring Reims closer to the political heart of the country. The rail system is rapidly developed and Reims becomes an important railway junction to reach the Ardennes or the Aisne (north-western end of the country). Then, many factories are created, mainly in the textile field. Many spinning mills employ several thousand inhabitants. There are many distilleries that produce wine and champagne.

On the eve of the Great War, Reims is already the largest city in Voisey, and has a significant economic influence on its region.

The Great War

After a slow advance through the Ardennes and the Aisne (north and west of Reims respectively), the matamorosian troops reached the outskirts of Reims in October 1974. An initial confrontation at Bétheny (a village 5km north of Reims) forced the voiseyian infantry regiment to withdraw to the city of Reims, clearly demonstrating the advantage that the matamorosian troops had over the voiseyian troops at that time. To slow their advance, the voiseyian artillery posted on the other side of Reims, at Saint Léonard, relentlessly pounded the matamorosian tank columns, which were advancing resolutely towards Reims. The Matamoros responded by bombarding the artillery positions and the town of Reims several times. However, as the weather was very bad and the clouds low, most of the bombs hit houses. In Reims, almost 350 civilians died as a result of this first bombardment. The city held out for a good month, because it had ramparts. Although these were targeted by tanks and cannons to bring them down. The neighbouring town of Epernay fell to Buriname in March 1975, increasing the pressure on the city of Reims. Until then, it had been possible to supply the city because Reims was not surrounded. However, in April 1975, Buriname troops managed to cross the Montagne de Reims and cut the supply lines. The city of Reims then found itself isolated. As a result, on 1 May 1975, Buriname troops finally managed to penetrate the town. Their advance was slow, as the Voisey's troops were strong in the street fighting that raged. Finally, on 26 May 1975, the last hundred or so Voisey's soldiers, entrenched in the post office and in fighting shape, surrendered. The town had been the target of eleven bombardments, causing severe damage. It is estimated that 65% of the town was destroyed or partially destroyed. The 13th-century cathedral caught fire and one of its two towers almost collapsed. More than 1,000 civilians died or were seriously injured in the street fighting. The city was liberated in April 1977 by Voisey's troops, after fierce street fighting.

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  A weaving factory after the bombardments, 1975

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  A voiseyian soldier discussing with a man, Ponsardin Street, 1977

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  Tram station, 1975

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  Dieu Lumière Street after the bombardment, 1975

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  Our Lady Mary Cathedral after the bombardment, 1977 (colorized)

The Recovery

It wasn't until early 1978 that most of Reims' residents returned to the city. The city was gradually rebuilt as best it could. Most of the inhabitants built wooden barracks on the ruins of their homes. In 1985, when the war was over, the town was awarded a grant to rebuild completely. The station was rebuilt identically and reopened at the end of 1985. Notre Dame Marie Cathedral received government assistance and was completely renovated at the end of 1987. The many spinning and weaving mills also gradually reopened between 1985 and 1990.

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  Example of a barrack. Here, a barber shop.

The town gained a large number of inhabitants and regained its former economic weight in the early 2000s.

Nowadays

Today, Reims is one of the most visited cities in the country. Its cathedral and wide, lively cobbled streets are its main attractions. The city is also famous for its gingerbread, which it exports to the four corners of the continent. The twelve annual fairs are still held here. In 2005, a thirteenth fair was added with the aim of promoting regional crafts to the world. YThere are hosiery makers, basket makers, clog makers, shoemakers, stained glass makers, cooks, weavers, lace makers and many other professions. The forum welcomes several thousand foreign visitors every year, curious to discover trades that have since disappeared in their own countries.

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  Talleryrand's Street

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  The Great Railway Station of Reims

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  On a market day (colourized)

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  Vesle Street and the canal footbridge

Demography

At the 2021 census, Reims had a population of 220 887 inhabitants, which makes it the most populous city in the country.

Demographic Evolution of Reims (1800-2021)
Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1800 135,763 —     1805 137,650 +0.28% 1810 140,888 +0.47% 1815 144,651 +0.53% 1820 148,322 +0.50% 1825 152,523 +0.56% 1830 157,213 +0.61% 1835 161,890 +0.59% 1840 167,598 +0.70% 1845 174,655 +0.83% 1850 179,361 +0.53% 1855 183,123 +0.42% 1860 187,770 +0.50% 1865 190,440 +0.28% 1870 192,659 +0.23% 1875 194,501 +0.19% 1880 197,937 +0.35% 1885 200,182 +0.23% 1890 202,882 +0.27% 1895 204,172 +0.13% 1900 202,009 −0.21% 1905 197,167 −0.48% 1910 190,398 −0.70% 1915 185,270 −0.54% 1920 184,870 −0.04%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1925 183,220 −0.18% 1930 182,550 −0.07% 1935 182,900 +0.04% 1940 183,709 +0.09% 1945 185,228 +0.16% 1950 187,330 +0.23% 1955 189,961 +0.28% 1960 193,655 +0.39% 1965 197,888 +0.43% 1970 200,333 +0.25% 1975 202,445 +0.21% 1980 175,339 −2.83% 1985 178,990 +0.41% 1990 188,552 +1.05% 1995 198,057 +0.99% 2000 200,124 +0.21% 2005 203,750 +0.36% 2010 206,523 +0.27% 2015 209,365 +0.27% 2016 211,098 +0.83% 2017 213,777 +1.27% 2018 215,190 +0.66% 2019 216,337 +0.53% 2020 218,024 +0.78% 2021 220,887 +1.31%
Source: INSED (Institut National de Statitistiques de d'Etudes Démographiques) en: (National Institute of Statistics and Demographic Studies)

Geography

Reims is located in the north-western part of the Marne department, center-west of Voisey. The town lies on the banks of the river Vesle, and is surrounded by several high hills such as the Montagne de Reims and the Plateau de Fismes (Fismes' plateau). The highest place around the city is the "Mont Saint Baâle" (Saint Baâle mount), 286m high. Reims is not adjacent to any other town. However, there are several villages around the town, benefiting to a greater or lesser extent from the industrial development of Reims. These include Bétheny, La Neuvillette-lez-Reims and Witry-lez-Reims to the north, Cernay-lez-Reims to the east, Comrontreuil, Taissy, Saint Léonard and Bézannes to the south, and Ormes-lez-Reims, Tinqueux, Saint Brice-lez-Reims and Courcelles-lez-Reims to the west.

A map of the department of the Marne.