The rich cultural and historical heritage of France makes the country interesting in terms of tourism in different directions. Gothic architecture is one of the important factors in attracting visitors to the country. Cathedrals designed in this style do not stand out from the modern buildings, on the contrary, they emphasize the dignity of the environment.
Almost all of them are associated with important milestones in the formation of the state, the formation of cities in the form in which they are known and loved now. Traditionally, the external features of Gothic religious buildings are complemented by a corresponding interior decoration. Even without the original goal of visiting a couple of cathedrals, it is difficult to remain indifferent, passing by, and not make a stop at least for a short acquaintance with the world of architectural Gothic.
The most beautiful gothic cathedrals in France
Reims cathedral
Named after the city where it is located. Built in the XII century. One of the tallest cathedrals, the towers reach a height of 80 meters. It was the site of the coronation of most of the French monarchs. At the moment, restoration is underway, which does not interfere with tourist activities. Some elements of the cathedral's decoration (statues, tapestries, etc.), partially damaged during the Second World War, are collected in a separate room.
Rouen Cathedral
Located in the city of the same name. Some of its parts were built in different centuries, the oldest is the north tower, dated 1145. Only the walls remained from it after the Second World War. The cathedral has suffered many times from raids, fires, bad weather. Each time, the damaged parts of the facade were restored. The interior decoration is underlined strict, without unnecessary details. There are ancient statues.
Notre dame cathedral
It is not only a landmark, but also an active religious site. Located in Paris, founded in 1163. Here weddings of monarchs, the transfer of power, memorial services of a state scale took place. Cathedral Square is rich in iconic places: kilometer zero, the prefecture, the Crypt of the Notre Dame porch, where archaeological artifacts found during excavations near the cathedral are exhibited.
Church of Saint-Wulfrand in Abbeville
Founded in 1488. This place used to be another religious building. For some time, the church was only a historical monument, but as a result, services began to be held again in 1998. The bell tower is almost 56 meters high. There are only three floors, the first one has the usual high ceilings. There are also three chapels with personalized richly decorated altars and a mausoleum.
Chartres Cathedral
Located in the city of Chartres, founded in 1145. A rare religious building, preserved unchanged and without major restoration work. 10 thousand sculptures and other elements of stone and glass make up the decoration of the cathedral. The north and south towers vary greatly in height and overall style. A special relic is the Shroud of the Virgin Mary. Another feature is the astronomical clock of the 16th century.
Tours Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Gatian of Tours)
Named after the city where it is the main attraction. Start of construction - 1170. The full name includes the name of Saint Gatian, the first bishop of Tours. Although the façade towers look symmetrical from a distance, their heights vary: 68 meters and 69 meters. Since there used to be another temple here, and later changes were made, the cathedral has some features of the Romanesque era and the Renaissance.
Amiens cathedral
Located in the city of the same name, bears the name of the Mother of God. Built in the first half to mid-13th century. A representative of pure Gothic. The height of the vault is more than 42 meters. The interior is designed in such a way as to visually expand the space, make it lighter and indivisible into sectors. The decoration uses many sculptural elements. Including wood.
Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral
Located in the Auvergne region, named after the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Founded in 1248. The dark, almost black building contrasts greatly with the buildings around it and, also due to its size and location on the top of the hill, is visible from any point. Antique sarcophagi, frescoes of the Middle Ages, valuable liturgical objects, unique elements of wall decoration are the features of the cathedral.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Orleans
Start of construction - 1601. It was rebuilt and reconstructed many times. During the Second World War, it was slightly damaged, but the main bell fell into disrepair. It was replaced with a new one in 2012. Excavations were carried out in the vicinity to learn more about the stages of the formation of the cathedral. It is indirectly related to the story of Jeanne D'Arc, who visited him during the siege of the city.
Evreux Cathedral
Located in the city of the same name. Construction began in the 11th century. The present appearance took shape later: the first cathedral was burned twice and was rebuilt in the Gothic style. Through a covered gallery, the cathedral is connected with the bishops' palace. After the restoration, the bell tower returned to its original place. The interiors contrast with each other: for example, the nave is in Romanesque style, and the choir is Gothic.
Abbey of Saint Denis
Located in the commune of the same name. Founded in the XII century. During the existence of religious buildings on this site, 25 French monarchs were buried here. Some of the tombs were destroyed, some were reburied, but then returned to Saint-Denis. Some bones of kings and their families ended up in the abbey's ossuary. Since 2004, the heart of Louis XVII, who never ascended the throne, rests here.
Metz Cathedral
Located in the city of Metz. Has a second name - St. Stephen's Cathedral. Founded in 1240. Its base is a Romanesque church, to which a nave was added. Choir stalls and a transverse nave appeared later. A bulky building with many pointed columns and narrow towers stands in the square of arms. The cathedral is famous for its wide painted stained glass windows. 19 of them were made by the artist Chagall.
Nevers Cathedral
Located in the department of Nievre. Founded in the X century. Has a number of other names, for example, Ser-Sir Cathedral. The current look is a symbiosis of styles and the consequences of reconstruction. Western vipes, choirs, facade walls - Romanesque style, nave - Gothic, facade towers - Late Gothic. Each window has a unique painting. Stained-glass windows, as well as other decoration elements, belong to different historical periods.
Strasbourg Cathedral
Located in the city of the same name. Construction began in 1015. For over a hundred years it has been a Lutheran cathedral. An attraction is the astronomical clock. They are decorated with all kinds of figures and ornaments. They have many additional functions. The square in front of the cathedral is the venue for concerts in the summer. The walls are illuminated in different colors, changing in tune with the music.
Notre Dame in Lana
The first temple was built here in the 8th century. Later, a building in the Romanesque style appeared. With the development of the city, it became necessary to expand it. Gothic features became more: nave, transept, choirs. The difference between this Notre Dame and cathedrals in other cities: light walls, this is how local limestone was used, and galleries on the sides. Small choirs are also unusual, their rectangular shape is typical for the architecture of England.
Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul in Nantes
The first stone was laid in 1434. Before that, there were three churches in turn. The construction took more than 450 years. Gradually, the Gothic elements absorbed the Romanesque features. The walls of the building are almost snow-white. The cathedral is associated with the legend of Bluebeard and with the stories of D'Ardagnan. Of particular value is the double tombstone of representatives of the House of Dreux - a masterpiece of French sculpture.
Cathedral Saint-Louis in Blois
Founded in 1544. Has the features of classicism. It was built in stages over three centuries. One of the chapels was built in the XII century, that is, before the laying of Saint-Louis.At the same time, it functioned. The historical stained glass windows have not survived and were replaced with copies in 2000. The crypt contains the sarcophagi of each of the local bishops. Nearby attraction is Blois Castle.
St. Peter's Basilica in Beauvais
Founded in 1225. Its gothic choirs are the tallest in existence. Giving the cathedral an impressive look was one of the goals of the architects. A Romanesque church is located on the site of its nave. The south facade is a classic example of late Gothic. The interior and decoration of the facade have their own peculiarities: carved wooden doors, rich in details astronomical clocks, stained glass windows, tapestries of the Middle Ages.
Cathedral of Saints Just and Pastor
Construction began in 1272 in Narbonne. The building is listed as unfinished, although a service was conducted here for centuries. Its grayish-brown walls perfectly fit into the architecture of the city with densely built streets. Each of the chapels is somewhat different: a special altar, a sculptural composition, a collection of paintings on religious themes, items for the liturgy, and so on.
Bourgeois cathedral
Located in Bourges. Consecrated in 1324, although it continued to be completed. There is no transept, which is not typical for such temples: it does not have a cruciform shape. Since the cathedral was hardly damaged during the wars and revolutions, 22 original stained glass windows have survived. The crypt contains ancient gravestones in perfect condition. And the astronomical clock has not stopped for more than 500 years.
Abbey of Saint Ouen
Located in Rouen. Founded in 553, it has been rebuilt and restored many times. Gothic features appeared in the XIV century. Some buildings of the abbey were used for other purposes: in one mayor's office, in another a factory. The premises are now used for classical music performances and exhibitions. In the gardens nearby there is a pond with a sculptural composition and a copy of a runestone.
Basilica of Saint-Nicola-de-Port
Founded in 1481. The city at that time was called Por. Built in honor of the independence of Lorraine. The temple was re-consecrated by Pope Pius XII, after which it became a basilica. After World War II, the restoration took 15 years, including almost all of the stained-glass windows were replaced. For nearly 200 years it has been officially a historical monument of France.
Tula Cathedral (Tula)
Construction began in the 13th century. The façade is entirely in the Gothic style, but later there were two chapels dating back to the Renaissance period. During the revolution and World War II, some elements of the decoration were lost, including the roof and organ. There was a monastery nearby. Religious events are not held, a popular tourist destination.
Cathedral of Saint Cecilia in Albi
Year of foundation - 1282. One of the largest brick buildings in the world. It was originally planned to use it as a fortress. The bell tower and the gates of Dominic of Florence were built nearby. The nave is the widest in the country. Small chapels lined up have replaced the classic aisles in the interior. The entrance has been moved to the south side, although in the Gothic it is usually in the west.
Cathedral at Saint-Paul-de-Leon
Located in Brittany. The beginning of construction in its present form is the XII century, before that there was an ancient church here. The choir and the viper appeared much later than the established part of the cathedral. The gargoyles on the facade have an unusual appearance. The baptistery is made primarily of oak. The altars of each of the chapels are works of art. The stained glass windows show various scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints.
Basilica of Saint Michael in Bordeaux
The beginning of construction is the XIV century. Thanks to the bell tower, it is one of the tallest cathedrals in France - 114 meters. Here are collected works of art from different centuries, including the Pieta depicting Saint Ursula. The local crypt is an independent exhibition hall for sarcophagi and remains found during archaeological excavations nearby.
Church of Saint-Eustache
Located in Paris. The date of foundation is 1532. The facade is made mainly in the classicism style, it is complemented by the Renaissance, and the Gothic is traced in the details of the interior decoration. The crypt contains the remains of Tiberio Fiorilli, a theater actor who lived in the 17th century. The pride of the church is the organ of 8 thousand pipes. During its assembly, elements of old tools were used. Organ concerts are regularly held here.
Dijon Cathedral
Located in the city of the same name. Built at the end of the XIII-beginning of the XIV centuries. Pope Eugene III took part in the consecration of the temple that stood here earlier. The crypt contains the remains of Philip III and part of the relics of St. Benign, in whose honor the cathedral bears its official name. The decoration is dominated by asceticism: less decor than usual. The height of the choir and nave, together with the stained-glass windows, visually enlarge the space.
Notre dame de Senlis
Located in the center of Senlis. Built in the second half of the 12th century. Since then, only the dome has undergone major alterations, although additional decorative elements appeared until the 18th century. Light limestone was used for the walls. The bell tower is 78 meters high. An important detail of interior decoration is original wall and ceiling paintings. Such frescoes are atypical not only for modern times, but also for that time.
Rodes cathedral
Located in the city of Rodez. First mentioned in 516. In the past, one of its walls was part of the city wall. The new cathedral began to be rebuilt in the 13th century. The process dragged on due to plague, fires and wars. Although it took centuries to complete the work, the style is kept the same. The bell tower is the most modern building in the composition. It is adorned with a statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by four angels.
