Cathedrals of France

France is home to some of the world’s most impressive and stunning cathedrals in the world. With spires reaching towards the sky, impressive flying buttresses, magnificent sculptures and carving, colorful stained glass the cathedrals in France will leave you awed and wondering just how they were built in time without machinery.

Many people are probably not aware that a cathedral is technically defined as a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop. In fact, the word cathedral comes from the Latin word cathedra, which means seat. Cathedrals serve as the center of a dioceses (an administrative region governed by a Bishop) for Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and Lutheran churches.

While the role of a cathedral was mostly as place of worship and a place to serve God in the community, cathedrals also played an important role in the hierarchical organizational structure of the church. Because cathedrals symbolize both the glory of God and the power of the Church, the building of cathedrals in France tend to be enormous, ornate and awe-inspiring feats of architecture. In fact, cathedrals are frequently one of the oldest and most imposing building in smaller towns and the size and splendor of these buildings are often confusingly out of proportion with the village that surrounds it.

Notre Dame de Paris

One of the world’s most famous cathedrals, Notre Dame will certainly live up to your expectations despite its highly regarded reputation. Depicted in countless books and movies (and serving as the haunt of the Hunchback of Notre Dame), Notre Dame has long captured the imagination of visitors. This Gothic cathedral dating back to the 12th century is best-known for its intricate gargoyles, which adorn the outside of the cathedral.

Rouen Cathedral

Rouen has been dubbed the “City of a Hundred Spires,” for many of its important edifices are churches—and towering above them all is the highest spire in France, erected in 1876 gracing the top of Cathedral Notre-Dame de Rouen (a cast-iron tour-de-force rising 490 ft above the). This awe-inspiring cathedral was immortalized by Claude Monet (particularly the facade) in his series of paintings done in the 19th century. While the cathedral was originally built in 1063, a fire destroyed all but one spire on the cathedral, and most of the present day cathedral was built in 13th century. A masterpiece of lacy stonework, one of my favorite memories in France was attending a Sunday mass in the echoing interior of this amazing cathedral.

>>Read more about the Cathedral at Rouen: The inspiration for Monet’s famous series

Strasbourg Cathedral

This impressive feat of Gothic architecture in northeastern France was once described as a “pinky-red angel hovering over the city” by French poet and playwright Paul Claudel. Goethe once said that the cathedral is composed of “a thousand harmonizing details” and that the cathedral was like “like the most sublime, wide-spreading tree of God, proclaiming the glory of the Lord.” Unique in that it only has one (instead of two) spires, the single spire on the Strasbourg cathedral was actually the highest in Christendom for four centuries. However, the Strasbourg cathedral is probably best known for the hundreds of beautiful stained glass windows that give a particularly colorful hue to the inside of the cathedral when the sun is shining.

Reims Cathedral

Located near the birthplace of Champagne, the cathedral at Reims stands at the site of an old basilica, where Clovis was baptized in the 5th century. The present cathedral was completed in the 13th century and the impressive façade was extensively renovated and repaired by the French National Assembly in the late 19th century. Today the sculpture laden façade on the cathedral at Reims is one of the most impressive in the country and is one of the best maintained masterpieces of the Middle Ages. The front of the cathedral features three portals with many statues and the center port is surmounted by a giant rose-window framed in the arch. The “gallery of kings” also has statues of Clovis and his successors.

Poitiers Cathedral

The Cathedral Saint Pierre in Poitiers showcases a blend of Medieval architectural styles—blending Gothic and Romanesque styles. Much like many of the major cathedrals in France, the Poitiers cathedral was built over the site of a Roman basilica and was consecrated in 1379. The most impressive feature of this cathedral is the inside, which features high vaulted ceilings, impressive pillars and large stained glass windows that allow for lots of light streaming through the windows.

Tours Cathedral

The cathedral at Tours is a perfect example of the Flamboyant Gothic style of the 15th century with its intricate and impressive facade. The cathedral was completed in 1547, right as the Renaissance was flourishing, and the late Gothic/early Renaissance influences can be seen in the architecture. The cathedral at Tours is also has some of the most stunning examples of stained glass windows in the entire world.

Nantes Cathedral

Although this cathedral wasn’t completely finished for almost 5 centuries (construction began in 1434 and didn’t finish until the 19th century), this cathedral is remarkable architecturally harmonious. Two square towers dominates the façade, which gives the cathedral an austere look. However, the Nantes cathedral has an impressive airy and high interior with 120 foot vaulted ceilings (higher than Notre Dame in Paris). The Nantes Cathedral is probably best known for housing the Renaissance tomb of François II (Duke of Brittany) among other famous people of history in the crypt.

Bourges Cathedral

While you may be distracted by all the very impressive Castles of the Loire nearby, the Cathedral St Etienne is Bourges near the Loire Valley is a magnificent example of early Gothic architecture. In fact, because of the unique architectural elements, the beautiful 13th century stained glass windows and many sculptures, the Bourges cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Bourges Cathedral has a highly unique floor plan. It has no transepts, which form the cross-shape of most churches. This lends the cathedral a unique appearance inside and out. On the exterior, thick walls and a myriad of flying buttresses support the unbroken weight of the long nave.

Chartres Cathedral

Not only is the Chartres Cathedral one of the most impressive cathedrals in France, it is also one of the greatest architectural achievements in the world. Chartres is also extremely well preserved and the extensive sculptures at the portals and stained glass windows are all original. A major pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages, the Chartres Cathedral has long been a destination for many (it is also located just 50 miles from Paris) and has long been had hoards of devoted people coming to see this historic and architectural gem. The cathedral also houses the Sancta Camisisa (the tunic of the Virgin Mary) and the architecture showcases a French Gothic masterpiece. Since the cathedral was never damaged or looted during the French Revolution or two World Wars, this cathedral remains marvelously in tact and boasting original features many of the other cathedrals lack.

Marseille Cathedral

While many of France’s famous cathedrals showcase Gothic and Renaissance architecture and built many centuries ago, the Marseille Cathedral was built on an enormous scale in Byzantine-Roman style during the 19th century. Most impressive about the Marseille Cathedral, however, is the sheer size, though the cathedral has also been declared a national monument in France.

Autun Cathedral

The Cathedral Saint Lazare in Autun (in the heart of Burgundy) is one of the most important Romanesque churches in France. While later additions to the cathedral show off some Gothic architectural elements, the cathedral is most noted for its impressive Romanesque sculptures that adorn the outside. The cathedral at Autun has also been a major pilgrimage site for centuries, as the castle holds the relics of Lazarus (the brother of Mary Magdalene).

Angers Cathedral

Another impressive cathedral in the Loire Valley in the shadow of the Castles of the Loire, the Angers cathedral showcases a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture and was built during the 12th and 13th centuries. While the cathedral itself is beautiful and showcases an impressive interior and exterior, the Anger cathedral is probably best known for housing one of the most famous and precious collections of Medieval tapestries in Europe, which were made specially for the church.

>>Visiting Angers from Paris? Read about Getting from Paris to the Loire Valley

Cathedral of Laon

Known for its impressive Gothic architecture and imposing towers the cathedral at Laon has long been a stop on the medieval pilgrimage rout to Santiago in Spain. The cathedral has 6 towers (4 of which are complete), which are particularly ornate, light and airy. The towers also feature sculptures (some of oxen, which pay tribute to the animals that helped in the construction of the cathedral). The cathedral also features beautiful stained glass windows and a rhinoceros gargoyle over one of the front portals.

Photos: top photo (Chartres); Notre Dame ; Rouen ; Strasbourg; Reims; Poitiers ; Tours ; Nantes; Bourges ; Chartres; Marseille ; Autun; Angers ; Laon