Labyrinth of the Reims Cathedral

Indeed, the identities of these master masons are precisely known, because a survey of the labyrinth was drawn in 1640 by Canon Cocquault and in 1779, just before its destruction, by Robin and Havé.

[2] The person at the center of the labyrinth is generally identified as Aubry de Humbert, Archbishop of Reims, who decided in 1211 to build a new cathedral in the place of the one destroyed by fire in 1210.

There is no trace of the fifth (and probably best-known) contractor, Robert de Coucy, who was in charge from 1290 to 1311 and who oversaw the carpentry and the roof.

[2] The church labyrinths were polychrome pavements symbolizing the rise[clarification needed] of Christ at Calvary.

[4] Christian people followed them on their knees as a symbolic pilgrimage or to win indulgences [3][4] The labyrinth was inaugurated at the coronation of Philippe le Bel on 6 January 1286.