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Palace of Tau

Palace

Adjacent to Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau displays coronation artifacts, medieval statuary and tapestries linked to France's royal ceremonies; visitors pair cathedral tours with the museum's objects and historical interpretation.

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Palace of Tau essentials

Address: Place du Château, 51100 Reims, France
Website: palais-tau.fr
Hours: Apr-Sep daily 10:00am-6:00pm; Oct-Mar Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays
Admission: €8-€10 (adult); discounts for youth/seniors; free for EU citizens under 26 at some times
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About Palace of Tau

The Palace of Tau in Reims is the former archbishop’s palace adjacent to Reims Cathedral, long associated with the coronation ceremonies of French kings. It houses museum displays focused on coronation regalia, liturgical objects and sculpture taken from the cathedral.

Exhibition rooms present sculptures, reliquaries and tapestries that illustrate the cathedral’s role in French royal ritual, and visitors can view the palace’s ceremonial halls and chapels. The palace complements a visit to the cathedral by interpreting the rites and objects used during coronations.

Originally the medieval residence of the archbishops of Reims, the building evolved architecturally from Romanesque and Gothic phases and was adapted over centuries to serve ceremonial and residential functions. It suffered damage during conflict and was restored and converted into a museum to preserve its collections and history.

The palace stands immediately beside Reims Cathedral in the city of Reims, in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, forming a compact historical complex frequently visited together.

  • UNESCO ensemble: The palace is part of the Reims cathedral ensemble listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is adjacent to the cathedral where French kings were crowned.

What to See#

  • Coronation rooms: Great ceremonial spaces historically used by archbishops and for post-coronation receptions connected with Reims Cathedral ceremonies.
  • Museum rooms: Museum galleries displaying statuary, liturgical objects, tapestries and sculptural fragments related to the cathedral’s coronation tradition.
  • Palace apartments and chapels: Medieval and later residential apartments and chapels that formed the archbishop’s palace complex.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Palace of Tau

Spring and summer bring easier schedules and longer opening hours; cooler months are quieter for contemplative visits.

Spring-Summer
April-September · 8-25°C (46-77°F)
Longer museum hours and more guided programming; pair with cathedral visits.
Autumn-Winter
October-March · 0-12°C (32-54°F)
Fewer tourists and a quieter experience inside the palace's dim, trophy-filled rooms.

Weather & Climate near Palace of Tau

Climate

Palace of Tau's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (615 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-13°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 0° - 6° -1° 44 mm overcast 93% 4.6 m/s 0.1 low 8.5h
February Poor 0° - 7° 0° 41 mm overcast 90% 4.4 m/s 0.2 low 9.9h
March Acceptable 2° - 11° 4° 49 mm overcast 85% 4.3 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Good 4° - 15° 7° 45 mm partly cloudy 79% 4.2 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.6h
May Good 8° - 20° 14° 59 mm overcast 79% 3.7 m/s 1.2 high 15.2h
June Very Good 11° - 23° 17° 59 mm overcast 77% 3.4 m/s 1.4 high 16.0h
July Excellent 13° - 25° 19° 57 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.3 m/s 1.4 high 15.6h
August Very Good 13° - 25° 19° 50 mm overcast 74% 3.2 m/s 1.1 high 14.2h
September Very Good 10° - 21° 15° 52 mm partly cloudy 77% 3.4 m/s 0.8 moderate 12.4h
October Good 7° - 15° 11° 53 mm overcast 85% 3.7 m/s 0.3 low 10.6h
November Acceptable 3° - 10° 3° 52 mm overcast 92% 3.9 m/s 0.1 low 8.9h
December Poor 1° - 7° 1° 54 mm overcast 94% 4.4 m/s 0.1 low 8.0h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Palace of Tau

The Palace is adjacent to Reims Cathedral in the city center (Place du Château). From Reims train station it’s a 10-15 minute walk north through the pedestrian center; local buses also serve the area.

Tips for Visiting Palace of Tau

  • Combine a visit with the cathedral next door; the Palace of Tau was the coronation palace for French kings and many artifacts relate directly to the cathedral's ceremonies.
  • Look for the coronation regalia and the tapestry fragments; gloves are often provided for handling touchable displays on special tours.
  • Buy a combined ticket for the cathedral, treasury, and Palace of Tau to save time.