Wednesday, 7 July 2010

Reims Cathedral and TDF - Part 91

The TDF today (Wed 7 July) goes from Cambrai to Reims, 153.5 kms.  The latter is a beautiful town and has the most wonderful cathedral. Sadly, Frank Schleck will not be with the Tour today after a bad accident yesterday, causing a broken collar bone. His brother Andy is lying in 6th place after yesterday's ride.  Andy will miss the help that his brother would have given him for the remainder of the Tour, but his strong team of Saxo Bank will will of course do all they can to keep him up with the leaders.  The French rider, Sylvain Chavanel, lost the leader's yellow jersey yesterday after a series of problems with his bike, and the honours went to the Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, also of team Saxo Bank.  Thor Hushovd of the Cervelo Test Team was the stage winner.

The Spanish rider Alberto Contador, possibly the favourite to win the race, dropped down to 9th position; he had a puncture in the last kilometre but kept going.  Lance Armstrong dropped to 18th after having a puncture earlier on the cobblestone sections and had to play "catch up".

Today's 4th stage results on arrival at Reims are as follows :-
1 Alessandro Petacchi - Italy
2 Julian Dean - New Zealaand
3 E.B. Hagen - Norway
4 Robbie Mc Ewan - Australia
5 Robbie Hunter - South Africa

There do not appear to be any changes in the overall results and Cancellara still holds the yellow jersey.

The Tour has passed 10 times through Reims in the past; the city is known as the city of Champagne and the former coronation site of French kings. Reims is proud of its cathedral, dating back to the 12th century and a symbol of the Gothic period at its height. Since 1991, Notre-Dame cathedral has been a UNESCO world heritage site.
I thought that this was a good chance to show you some of the photos I took of the cathedral when we were there in 2007.
Click on the photo to read the welcome at the door.









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22 comments:

  1. Pam7 July 2010 at 19:35

    The cathedral is beautiful and amazing with all of its intricate carvings and stained glass.

    I have visited Notre Dame de Paris and was blown away with its beauty so I'm sure this one in Reims would do the same. The people there have every right to be proud of this church with its great history!

    I have not been following the tour too much but did hear about Lance Armstrong.

    Great post with gorgeous photos, Diane! Way to go!!!

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  2. Gaelyn7 July 2010 at 19:38

    Wow, that is one gorgeous cathedral, so much detail and sculptures. I'd have a hard time riding past it fast, even on a bike.

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  3. Lo7 July 2010 at 20:01

    Gorgeous photos. What a mecca for artists and craftsmen that cathedral must have been during its construction. A real heaven to have been a stone mason or a stained glass worker.....always room for one more creation on one facade or another.

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  4. Diane7 July 2010 at 21:21

    Pam the Reims Cathedral is stunning. I saw the Notre Dame in Paris afterwards and I have to say I was disappointed. I think I saw them the wrong way round! Diane

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  5. Diane7 July 2010 at 21:24

    Gaelyn the sculptures are just amazing. The TDF stops in Reims over night, but I suspect that most of the cyclists will be having treatment of some sort ready for tomorrow :) There have been a lot of falls this year. Diane

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  6. Diane7 July 2010 at 21:26

    Lo I just can't imagine how some of the construction took place. The carvings are very special, but how did they lift all that stone to the heights in those days. Diane

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  7. Marjie7 July 2010 at 22:09

    My son Ryan learned about the Cathedral at Reims during his Art History/Architecture course in 7th grade. I'll have to show him your beautiful photos when he comes back inside. Thank you, as always, for your firsthand tours!

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  8. islandgirl4ever27 July 2010 at 22:14

    WOW!! Gorgeous!! So much detailed work went into that ... The reminds me of Notre Dame-- but much more elaborate... Great pics!!!

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  9. Diane7 July 2010 at 22:19

    Marjie I hope Ryan enjoys the pictures, maybe one day he will get to see it. Diane

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  10. Diane7 July 2010 at 22:19

    Leesa it is worth a trip if you have the time one weekend, It really is exceptional. Diane

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  11. Leon Sims7 July 2010 at 23:59

    We haven't seen the Cathedral in Reims but we were enthralled by Chartre. Poitiers and Senlis.
    Maybe next time.
    Good to see Cadel Evans have some good luck on his side "so far".
    Each morning is reading blogs and TdF results before work.
    Leon

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  12. Mary Bergfeld8 July 2010 at 06:32

    All the photos are gorgeous but the last with light coming through the stained glass is fantastic. Thanks for the race update. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  13. Diane8 July 2010 at 10:59

    Leon and Sue, Reims is certainly more than worth a visit if you are in that direction. Yes it is quite hard keeping up with everything at the moment!!!

    All the Australian riders are going well at this stage.

    I must get out into the kitchen now as I am sanding down the ceiling (wood), results of last years hail storm that flooded the house:(
    Diane

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  14. Diane8 July 2010 at 11:17

    Mary the lighting is stunning, all the windows are stained glass. It is quite beautiful. Diane

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  15. Philip8 July 2010 at 11:21

    Fantastic shots you just don't this kind of work here at least not what I have seen :)

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  16. Diane8 July 2010 at 13:06

    Philip I don't think there can be many people in this world who are capable of this work. The amount of work on this cathedral, took many skilled craftsman and many, many years. Could people be bothered to do it in this day and age? I doubt it. Diane

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  17. Amanda8 July 2010 at 13:50

    I have not watched the soccer cup, the Tour de France, Wimbledon... Unless someone (my 15 year old son who is in Hawaii for 1 month) turn on the TV at the right channel, I am missing out on all of them this year. At least I should watch the TDF to look at the french landscape. I don't know if it is "live" on TV, what channel...

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  18. Diane8 July 2010 at 14:59

    Hi Nadege I am watching it via satellite on ITV4 (English). In France, it is on France 2 (French), I know Eurosport (English -well Irish:-) has it on as well. Not sure what you can pick up where you are? It is worth watching even if your not a cyclist to see the beautiful countryside. Diane

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  19. ☺lani☺8 July 2010 at 16:08

    I remember we lost looking for Notre Dame, but I never seen Reims Cathedral, hoping to see it in our next visit!

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  20. Diane8 July 2010 at 16:18

    Lani it is well worth the visit, it really is quite somethin else. Diane

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  21. Mya8 July 2010 at 21:13

    Some architecture and stone work simply cause you to hold your breath as you try to take it all in.
    There are several specialized tours that I wish I could take part in. One is a tour of Europe's cathedrals.
    Thank you for putting your pictures on your blog.

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  22. Diane8 July 2010 at 21:27

    Mya there are so many beautiful cathedrals here in France. I have to say, from the ones I have seen this, is top of my list. Diane

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