The Western Façade

Though richly carved and finely wrought, retains its elegance. Its span is emphasised by the tremendous height of the buttresses and also the gables of the Porchs. The great Rose window ( 12,50 meters in diameter) has been restored. The stained glass panes depicting the Virgin Mary, destroyed during the First World War, have been reconstituted from the original design. On the voussoirs are groups representing the story of Solomon and David ; above, carvings depict the fight of David and Goliath. Level with the Rose window are statues (partially destroyed during the war) representing the Visitations of Christ. The remaining statues include one of the Disciples of Emmaüs clothed as a pilgrim and, beneath the pinnacles of the south tower Mary-Magdalene and Saint Peter.

The Towers, symetric, with delicate high mullioned windows flanked by turrets rise to a height of 81m50, and should have been surmounted by stone spires but these were never completed. Although part of' the work upon these towers was only commenced about 1430, the whole structure was based upon the 13th century plan ; thus conforming to a uniformity of style which is indeed rare. The north-west tower, badly damaged in the fire of September 1914, and by later bombardments, remains irrevocably scarred. Beneath the Great Rose window, half hidden by the gable of the Central door, glass panels light up the triforium of the nave.

The three doorways

The three doorways were executed about 1240-1260. The ornamental gables and those of the side beams are linked by Bell turrets. Thirty five large statues grace the embrasures of the doorways, with sculptured draperies adorning the base. The statues, resting upon a raised dais held in position by small figurehead brackets, are backed by columns linked at the top by a traceried cornice.

The north west doorway is surmounted by a gable with a carved group of the Crucifixion. In the five curves of the voussoirs are scenes of the Passion and the Resurrection. On the lintel are groups of statuettes representing the story of Saint Paul on the road to Damascus . The newal posts with exquisite statuettes represent angels, Prophets and Doctors of Law. The two statues on the northern buttress representing Saint Thierry and Saint Remi were destroyed during the First World War. In the left hand embrasure of the doorway is a much damaged statue of Sainte Helene, and a group with Saint Nicaise (or Saint Denis ?) standing between two Angels. The face of one of these latter "The Smile of Rheims", was damaged in 1914.

In the right hand embrasure are statues of the Deacon Jocond (?) Florent (?) Sainte Eutropie, sister of Saint Nicaise. On the northern buttress, the scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist (north tympanum) and those of the Temptation of Christ and the Invention of the Cross (west tympanum) were partially burnt in september 1914.

The central doorway is dedicated, like the Cathedral itself to Notre Dame. In the gable, framed in delicately fragile bell turrets, was a beautiful group showing the Crowning of' the Virgin Mary. The carvings on the voussoirs represent angels, the Ancients of the Apocalypse, Prophets, Ancestors of Christ and also stories from the Old Testament. On the lintel is an inscription in place of the carvings which were destroyed during the Revolution. It is upheld by a pier carved with angels, against which leans a statue of the Virgin Mary bearing the Infant Jesus.

Embrasure statues. The left group shows The Presentation in the Temple, Joseph bearing doves, Mary and the Infant Jesus, Simeon and Mary's companion. The right hand group includes the Annunciation : the Angel Gabriel and Mary; and the Visitation : Mary and her cousin Elisabeth.

On the lower buttress are statues of a Bishop (Saint Sixte ?) The Queen of Sheba and a Prophet (?) to the left ; and on the right are two statues of Kings (David and Solomon) and that of a Bishop (Saint Sinice ?). The heads of the buttresses are adorned with statues depicting the four rivers to Paradise placed beneath a caryatid, which supports a grotesque gargoyle.

The south west porch . Above the arch, the group showing Christ at the Last Judgement, surrounded by angels, is badly in need of repair. On the voussoirs are scenes from the Apocalypse. Upon the lintel is a continuation of the life of Saint Paul who, when smitten with blindness, was led away by the disciple Ananie, healed and baptised. Small statuettes representing the Vices and Virtues, and the seasonal Labours adorn the newalposts.

It is impossible to be definite regarding the statues placed on the left embrasure, but one can define an Apostle, a Pope (Saint Sixte or Saint Calixte), a Prophet and another Apostle. Those upon the right hand embrasure are, however, quite distinguishable: the ancient Simeon, John the Baptist. Isiah (Jesse at his feet), Moses, Abraham with Isaac, and on the south side a much damaged statue of Samuel, carrying the lamb. These six statues are amongst the oldest of the cathedral and were probably commenced before 1211. On the south buttress, the tympanums represent episodes from the life of Saint John the Evangelist, on the south, and on the west, scenes from the Apocalypse. At the extremities of the gables, the statues of Musicians have fallen into decay.