2. Reims A city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, Lies 129 km (80 miles) east, northeast of Paris Founded by the Gauls,it became a major city during the Roman Empire Reims played a prominent ceremonial role in : French monarchial history, as thetraditional site of the crowning of the kings of France. The cathedral played the same role in France as, Westminster Abby did in England.