Reims Cathedral

The coronation church of the French kings, and the west front shows why: a cliff of sculpture with 63 giant statues in its Gallery of Kings. Look for the Smiling Angel by the north portal, a rare grin in Gothic stone. It was blown apart when the cathedral was bombed in 1914 and later restored, which gives it a weight beyond its charm. Inside, walk to the chapel behind the high altar for Marc Chagall's stained glass, installed in 1974. The cathedral is free to visit. Tower tickets are sold at the Palace of Tau next door, and the climb is about 250 steps.