The Cryptoportique is a set of half-buried Roman galleries on Place du Forum in the centre of Reims, the remains of the forum of Durocortorum, the Roman city that was capital of the province of Gallia Belgica. Built around the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the vaulted passages framed the forum and held up buildings above them. Today a restored section can be visited, usually for free in summer.
The Cryptoportique at a glance
- Where: 6 Place du Forum, in the centre of Reims, a few minutes' walk from the cathedral.
- Built: probably in the 1st or 2nd century AD, when Reims was Durocortorum; completed by the 3rd century.
- Rediscovered: in the 19th century, when foundations for a new market hall were dug; restored from 1930 after damage in the First World War, and listed as a historic monument in 1923.
- What it is today: a short restored stretch of the galleries, used in summer for free visits, exhibitions and concerts, with a model of the ancient forum.
- Time needed: 20 to 30 minutes.
The forum of a Roman capital
Under the Romans, Reims was Durocortorum, one of the largest cities in northern Gaul and capital of Gallia Belgica. Its forum, the centre of public, political and economic life, stretched over a large area between today's Place Royale and Place du Forum. The cryptoporticus surrounded it on three sides: an underground or half-buried vaulted gallery that supported buildings above, including an important temple, while shops lined its outer side. The cool passages were probably used for storage or as a shady walk in summer.
In the Middle Ages much of the structure was taken apart and its stones reused, and the buildings on top disappeared. When the remains were found during work on a new market hall, the city chose to preserve them rather than build over them. After damage in the First World War, restoration began in 1930. Today a short side gallery, the corner where it turns at a right angle and a piece of the long gallery have been restored; other fragments may survive as cellars under nearby buildings.
What to look for
- The barrel-vaulted galleries with their window openings, which let a little daylight into the semi-underground space.
- The right-angled corner where two arms of the gallery meet, showing how the passages framed the forum.
- The model of the ancient forum, which helps you picture the vanished temple and square above.
- The open-air theatre in front, where the galleries form a backdrop for summer events.
How big was the forum?
Estimates suggest the forum of Durocortorum stretched for about 240 metres, and local sources like to point out that it was larger than the forum of Roman Paris. The original layout was a long gallery joined by two shorter ones, open on the fourth side; only a fraction survives. Bear in mind that parts of what you see were reconstructed in the 20th century, so the restored galleries give an idea of the original rather than an exact copy.
Tips for your visit
- The galleries are usually open in the summer season and entry has generally been free; check current times with the Reims tourist office before you go.
- Look out for guided visits and concerts in summer, which bring the space to life.
- The site is not wheelchair accessible, as the galleries are below street level.
Nearby
- Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur: a historic mansion and museum on the same square, with a remarkable collection of engravings by Albrecht Dürer.
- Place Royale: the 18th-century square with a statue of Louis XV, which marks the other end of the old forum area.
- Reims Cathedral: the Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned, a few minutes' walk south.
- Porte de Mars: the largest Roman triumphal arch in Reims, a reminder of Durocortorum's importance.
See Reims with World City Trail
Our Reims scavenger hunt turns the city into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 31 minutes of walking. It includes places such as Reims Cathedral, the Palace of Tau and the Porte de Mars.
If you prefer a different format, Reims also has a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Reims scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Reims →
Play the outdoor escape game in Reims →
Facts checked in October 2026.