Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel des Postes de Reims, located at 6-8-10 Place Royale and 2-4 rue Ceres, is an emblematic post-war reconstruction building. Built between 1927 and 1930 by architect François Le Coeur, it uses reinforced concrete, an innovative material for the time, enhanced by a sober treatment and a bouchardage revealing the gravels. The facade on Rue Ceres adopts an Art Deco style, while the one overlooking Place Royale incorporates the neo-classical 18th century style. The ancient parts of the facades and roofs have been classified as historical monuments since 1953.

The interior rotunda, with a diameter of 17.5 meters, is surmounted by a roof in glass tiles restored in the late 1980s. Its decorative panels celebrate places and events related to Reims, such as the Kings' Sacre, the baptism of Clovis, or the Basilica of St.Remi. These artistic elements underline the cultural and historical role of the city, while illustrating the alliance between technical modernity (beton, glass) and classic references (corns, friezes).

The building anticipates the evolution towards modern neo-classicism, as Auguste Perret later developed. Its rationalistic structure, combined with traditional elements (bandels, bases), makes it a unique example of architectural transition. The partial destruction of Reims during the First World War motivated this reconstruction, where functionalism also met a need for symbols of renewal for the local population.

The classified facades include high windows bordering an interlacing frieze, while the interior preserves Art Deco paintings. The exact address, 6-8-10 Place Royale and 2-4 rue Ceres, places the building in the heart of Reims, in the department of Marne (Great East). His architect, François Le Coeur, collaborates with Roger Henry, although he is only mentioned as a masterpiece in official sources.

The 1953 classification applies only to the old parts of the facades and roofs, excluding the later additions. This status protects both technical (first applications of reinforced concrete) and artistic (decades evoking remise history). The location, between Place Royale and Rue Grand-Crédo, makes it a landmark in the city centre, frequented for both postal services and architecture.

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