Porte de Mars

Porte de Mars is a well preserved third century AD ancient Roman triumphal arch in Reims, one of the widest in the Roman world.

Porte de Mars history

Comprised of three wide arches and still adorned with many friezes portraying ancient legends, including that of Romulus and Remus, Porte de Mars was dedicated to the Roman god of war.

At the time of its construction, Porte de Mars would have been one of four arches which would have led to the Gallo-Roman settlement of Durocortorum, as Reims was then known.

The gate was not a celebration of war, but rather symbolized the “imperial peace that assured the grandeur and happiness” of the end of the second century AD.

Porte de Mars today

The truimphal arch is made of three arches on which original sculptures are still visible – Romulus and Remus, the farm works, Leda and the swan.

Getting to Porte de Mars

Porte de Mars lies right in the middle of the city of Reims.The site’s address is Place de la République, 51100 Reims, France.

If travelling via train, the museum site is roughly a 5 minute walk away from Gare de Reims. It is also an easy stroll through Hautes Promenades park.

If you are driving from Paris (rougly 150 kilometres away), take the Northbound A4 to Reims. The trip should take no longer than 1 hour and 45 minutes.