Court House

The courthouse of Reims, on the site of the former Hôtel-Dieu

Seat of the Reims court, the courthouse imposes its classical façade in the heart of the city. Built on the site of the former Hôtel-Dieu, it illustrates the urban transformations of the nineteenth century. The Reims audio-guided tour stops here to evoke an institution that has also lived through the trials of Reims history.

A palace inaugurated in 1839

The building was inaugurated in 1839, to the plans of architect Auguste Caristie, assisted by Nicolas Serrurier; it was Narcisse Brunette who carried out the works, including the façade still visible today. Like so many Reims buildings, the palace suffered the torments of the Great War: its interior was badly affected before being restored. It reflects the nineteenth-century taste for solemn judicial architecture.

What to see

The façade, plain and symmetrical, illustrates nineteenth-century judicial architecture, designed to inspire respect for the law. The building is seen from the square that accompanies it, in a central area of Reims. For those interested in the city's history, it completes the portrait of a Reims wounded several times then raised again, where every great building bears the mark of reconstruction.

Practical information

The courthouse stands on Place Myron Herrick, in the centre of Reims, reachable on foot. It is a working judicial building: the façade and the square can be freely admired from the outside, while access inside is subject to the court's own rules and hours. For any business or visit, it is best to enquire in advance about access conditions.

When was the Reims courthouse inaugurated?

It was inaugurated in 1839, to the plans of Auguste Caristie, on the site of the former Hôtel-Dieu of Reims.

Can you visit the courthouse?

The façade can be freely admired from the square; the interior, a working court, is subject to the rules and hours of justice, to be checked before any visit.