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Origin and history

The Royal Square of Reims, located in the city centre, is an example of 18th century royal urban planning. It was designed to replace an unhealthy neighbourhood, the Grand Credo, and create a monumental perspective between the royal roads. Its design, decided in 1755, aimed to modernize Reims by aligning the ancient Roman axes (Cardo and Decumanus) and structuring a majestic public space.

The project, carried by the lieutenant of the inhabitants Louis-Jean Levesque de Pouilly and the architect Jean-Gabriel Legendre, met oppositions, notably from the archbishop and the chapter of Notre Dame, before being validated by the Council of State in 1756. The works, begun in 1758, lasted almost 20 years, with the construction of harmonized buildings and the erection of a monument to Louis XV, carved by Pigalle and inaugurated in 1765. The statue, destroyed during the Revolution, was replaced in 1818 by a work by Pierre Cartellier.

The square, left unfinished until 1910, underwent major changes after the First World War, where only the facades of the buildings were preserved. Subsequent elevations partially altered its original aesthetic. Ranked a historic monument in 1952, it now houses a sub-prefecture and retains its role as an emblematic place of remois heritage, despite the recurring debates on the presence of the royal statue.

Originally conceived as a symbol of monarchical power, Place Royale also became a popular place of life. In the 19th century, it served as a reference for the numbering of the streets of Reims, and at the beginning of the 20th century, its marches sheltered the homeless, nicknamed "the Louis XV". Its floor and central monument have been protected since 1952, while the former farm hotel, which became sub-prefecture, has been registered since 1953.

The architecture of the square, marked by classical scheduling, reflects the urbanistic ambitions of the Enlightenment century. The uniform facades, carved allegories (such as the Genius of Commerce and Reason Mastering the Force), and the central monument bear witness to the social and political transformations of Reims, between the Ancient Regime, Revolution and contemporary era.

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