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A shining star of the old continent, France is known for its rich history, impressive culture and iconoclastic architecture. In fact, several beautiful and large cathedrals stand on the country's territory, which are as much the pride of the French as they arouse the wonder of visitors who flock there each year in their millions. How can you resist the splendor of these religious buildings? If you are interested in the subject, follow us on this little journey to discover ten of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, masterpieces of Gothic, Romanesque or neo-Gothic architecture. Get yourself some of the most beautiful christian jewelry, you will love it. Without detour, we start with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
A global celebrity and yet built in the very heart of France on the Île de la Cité, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris needs no introduction. Nearly 20 million visitors annually! We are not surprised.
Who wouldn't fall in love with this masterpiece of Gothic architecture, its arches, its stained glass windows, its rose windows, its spire, its numerous statues that adorn its west facade, its flying buttresses and its magnificent gargoyles?
While waiting for the building, which stands out with its two 69-metre high towers, to recover from the fire of 15 April 2019, it should be remembered that the emblematic cathedral bears the memory of several major events in France.
These are the coronation of Bonaparte in 1804 and the beatification of Joan of Arc in 1909. It should also be noted that the construction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris began in 1163 and was not completed until the middle of the 14th century.
With its more than 2,500 meters of exceptional stained glass windows where biblical scenes and the lives of the saints are brought to life, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Chartres has everything to arouse the admiration of the world. Located in the Centre Val de Loire region nearly 80 kilometers southwest of Paris, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It also houses a replica of the veil worn by the Virgin Mary at the birth of Jesus.
Due to its very rich religious heritage, the cathedral has been an extremely famous place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages, where pilgrims from all over the world meet.
Although it was built in the 13th century, the path of its mythical labyrinth, a two-tone pattern traced in the floor of the nave, allows pilgrims to be touched by grace. Moreover, this magnificent symbol of Gothic architecture is said to have been built on a very powerful place in energy.
Seriously damaged by the First World War and subsequently restored, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is another must-see of Gothic architecture. Very famous, the building hosted the coronation ceremony of nearly 25 kings of France, from Louis VIII in 1223 to Charles X in 1825.
In terms of appearance, the monument ticks all the boxes. Built on the plan of a Latin cross with 149.17 meters long and 87 meters high, its aesthetically unstoppable stained glass windows and its 2,303 statues give character to its façade.
Although it stands out as the religious building with the most statues in the world, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims is not only attractive for its exterior. Inside this queen of superlatives with its 6,650 square meters, we find very precious liturgical objects among which the Talisman of
Charlemagne. As a reminder, construction work on the building began in 1211 before being completed around 1300.
Built from 1195 in the heart of the historic center of Bourges and consecrated on May 13, 1324, the Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Bourges is a magnificent jewel with harmonious measurements. With more than 600,000 annual visitors, it is the first monument dedicated to Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr according to biblical accounts.
With its 5 portals, its 5 naves and its 5 levels of stones that evoke the five wounds of Christ according to the biblical stories, the Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Bourges is a vast stone vessel with extraordinary dimensions. And that's not even for its highest tower, the Tour de Beurre, which rises to a height of 65 meters.
Indeed, this magnificent jewel is 125 meters long and 41 meters wide, making it the widest cathedral in all of France. Although it has a simple plan, the Gothic building that houses the Archdiocese of Bourges in the department of Cher and Indre is majestic and remarkable.
Small detail, this cathedral is the only one in all of France that is surmounted by a Pelican, symbol of the Eucharistic Christ. The others are surmounted by a rooster, emblem of the resurrected Christ.
With an interior volume estimated at 200,000 cubic meters, the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Amiens is twice as large as the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in France and the world. The building, whose first stones were laid in 1220 and the last in 1288, is impressive from every point of view. It should be noted that a series of chapels were added to this Catholic building from 1292 to 1375.
Facing the Notre-Dame d'Amiens Cathedral, one is as seduced by the rigorous logic of its plan which balances nave and choir as by its rich sculpted decoration. If its exterior façade guarantees visitors absolute dazzlement.
Likewise, its interior elevation (43 meters high under the vault) and its large clear glass windows give it a peaceful interior freshness and very generous natural lighting. Inside the Cathedral, one will be seduced by the keystone of the choir which is designed in carved oak.
It represents the Savior, globe in hand, seated in the middle of a pair of candlesticks. It is also interesting to note that the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Amiens houses the head of Saint John the Baptist. It is one of the largest relics found in this historic monument.
It is impossible to pass by Place Pey Berland without noticing it. A true emblem of the sleeping beauty, Bordeaux Cathedral Saint-André is a jewel of French Gothic architecture.Although construction of the building began in the 12th century, most of it was built during the 13th and 14th centuries.
Listed as a historical monument, it is still the most imposing church and the most visited religious building in the entire city. Needless to say, its massive vaults, its pointed and chiseled spires that rise to 90 meters or its royal portal open in the north wall of the nave. Built in the city center, the building also houses at the back of its nave, the organ with one of the largest cases in France.
The dimensions of the Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux are not insignificant. The building extends over a length of 124 meters, a width of 18 meters and a height of 23 meters.
First founded in the 3rd century, it was destroyed by invasions before being partly rebuilt in the 11th century. Hit by a fire in August 1787, a hurricane, then lightning in 1820, it was the center of several restoration works.
And while it may not be the queen of superlatives, Bordeaux Cathedral of Saint Andrew still has an impressive history, having hosted royal weddings and several major events. As a reminder, it was in this building, for example, that Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine were married in 1137, a marriage that left a major impact on the history of England and France.
Also known as Primatiale Saint-Jean or Lyon Cathedral, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral of Lyon is the episcopal seat of the Archdiocese of Lyon. For those who have never seen it, it is a magnificent building that perfectly combines Roman and Gothic styles.
If its central rose window and its three cleverly decorated portals quickly capture the attention, we quickly fall in love with the astronomical clock that adorns the building. This giant clock that rises above the old Lyonnaise indicates the positions of the Earth, the sun, the moon, the stars and the date. A real gem!
When we know that Lyon is one of the cradles of the Western Christian faith, we understand where the cathedral draws its prestige from. With its rather modest measurements, this masterpiece of medieval art extends over 79 meters long and 26 meters wide for a height of 32 cm. Its construction lasted from 1180 to 1480.
With spires that culminate at a height of 142 meters in the sky of Strasbourg, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg seduces as much by its elegance as by its lightness. It is worth seeing how the facade of this monument erected from 1220 was fantastically decorated.
Victor Hugo also said of this façade that it is "a prodigy of the gigantic and the delicate". It was truly one of the greatest picture books of the Middle Ages.
Indeed, there are several hundred sculptures that dance with light and shadow to produce a unique scenographic effect. The interior of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg is not without merit, however.
And we're not even talking about its slender nave, ideal for contemplation. You absolutely have to see the central rose window, the monumental clock and the giant organ with its remarkable case and the enchanting spectacle they offer visitors.
Although it is not ranked at the top of this Top 10, the Cathedral of Saint Cecilia of Albi is still the largest brick cathedral in the world. This jewel of the Catholic faith overlooks the city of Albi thanks to its majestic bell tower which is 78 meters high.
Although it is contemporary with the cathedrals of Chartres, Reims and Amiens, it stands out due to its strongly military appearance and its southern style. Who would not be impressed by its red brick structure?
Built from 1282 to 1493 (over 200 years) on a rocky peak, the castle-like building extends over a length of 113 metres and a width of 35 metres. Inside, it is not only the 30 m under the vault that are seductive.
It is also the seductive combination of colors, patterns, paintings, sculptures, frescoes, statues, etc., made on a blue background of mineral origin. These frescoes and decorations extend over an area of 18,500 square meters that make you believe that you are facing an illustrated Bible. It is a place to discover absolutely.
Simple in its plan, with a vault height of only 20 m and a particularly sober façade, except for its massive appearance and its imposing 8-meter rose window, the Saint-Michel Cathedral of Carcassonne deserves its place in this Top 10. It is located in the Saint Louis bastide, this former suburb of the city of Carcassonne.
Although its construction dates back to the 13th century, and more precisely in 1247, on the orders of King Saint Louis, it was first a church. It was enlarged in 1283. It was quickly reinforced by fortifications in the 14th century, after the invasion of the troops of the Black Prince in 1355 during the Hundred Years' War.
It became a cathedral in 1803 when it became the seat of the diocese, initially located in the Saint-Nazaire Cathedral. At that time, the building underwent a series of modifications. Restored after a fire that partially destroyed it in November 1849, the building is bordered by several side chapels and retains the stained glass windows of its choir, which date from the 14th century.
So here are the 10 most beautiful cathedrals in France. If you have time for a little cathedral visit, do not hesitate to immerse yourself in the world of these buildings which have seen the centuries and their kings pass by.
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