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Origin and history

The Tau Palace, located in Reims in the Great East, was the residence of archbishops from the fifth century, then kings of France during the sacres. Its name comes from its form in T (tau in Greek) in the Middle Ages. Adjoining Notre-Dame Cathedral, it was enlarged in the 15th and 17th centuries, transforming its Gothic style into a classical building under Robert de Cotte (1688-1693). Confiscated during the Revolution, he became a court and then a trade exchange, before being restored after 1914.

The 1914 fire, caused by bombings during World War I, destroyed much of the palace and its collections. Since 1950, it has been home to the Museum of the Work since 1972, exhibiting sculpted elements of the cathedral, tapestries, and the treasure of the royal sacres. Major rooms include the Tau Hall (place of the royal banquets), the 13th century Palatine Chapel, and reliquaries such as the Holy Bulb or the Talisman of Charlemagne.

Ranked a historic monument in 1907 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 with the cathedral, the Tau Palace illustrates the history of the French sacres. His rooms, such as Charles X's or Goliath's (a monumental 5.4 m state), testify to his political and religious role. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, combining heritage and contemporary art.

Archaeological excavations revealed Gallo-Roman remains in the lower room, while the upper chapel, classified in 1886, preserves Napoleon's imperial candlesticks. The treasure, divided between the Ancient Regime and Restoration, includes liturgical objects and royal gifts, such as the nave of Saint Ursule offered by Anne of Brittany. The post-1914 reconstruction allowed the partial restoration of its medieval aspect.

The Tau Palace also symbolizes historical upheavals: occupation by Guillaume I in 1871, separation of churches and the state in 1905, or its transformation into a workshop during the restoration of the cathedral. Today managed by the National Monuments Centre, it attracts for its artistic heritage and its link to the history of France.

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