I agree, Andrea, visits to these cathedrals should definitely not be rushed. Though not a cathedral I was always amazed how much different La Sainte Chapelle in Paris would look at different times of the day.

]]> http://www.francetravelguide.com/cathdedrals-of-france.html/comment-page-1#comment-47 Andrea Kirkby Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:46:40 +0000 http://www.francetravelguide.com/cathdedrals-of-france.html#comment-47 I'm glad Laon is on the list - probably my favourite of all the cathedrals, and in a lovely little hilltop town. It's the youngest, most spring-time Gothic, much less heavy than the later cathedrals. I've put together audio tours of Bourges, Chartres, Laon, Reims, Rouen and Notre Dame (all at http://www.podtours.co.uk) as well as Amiens - the biggest - and Beauvais - the tallest. Bourges and Chartres both have wonderful stained glass as well as probably the greatest architecture; they're also in lovely cities well worth a visit. Chartres is my 'local' when I'm in France - my partner studies organ at the Conservatoire there - and I can easily spend an entire day just wandering round the cathedral. There's always a statue you haven't seen before or a little scene in the stained glass you don't remember... the key to French cathedrals is not to rush in, but take them slowly, maybe come back later in the day for a different atmosphere in a different light.

I’m glad Laon is on the list – probably my favourite of all the cathedrals, and in a lovely little hilltop town. It’s the youngest, most spring-time Gothic, much less heavy than the later cathedrals.

I’ve put together audio tours of Bourges, Chartres, Laon, Reims, Rouen and Notre Dame (all at http://www.podtours.co.uk) as well as Amiens – the biggest – and Beauvais – the tallest. Bourges and Chartres both have wonderful stained glass as well as probably the greatest architecture; they’re also in lovely cities well worth a visit.

Chartres is my ‘local’ when I’m in France – my partner studies organ at the Conservatoire there – and I can easily spend an entire day just wandering round the cathedral. There’s always a statue you haven’t seen before or a little scene in the stained glass you don’t remember… the key to French cathedrals is not to rush in, but take them slowly, maybe come back later in the day for a different atmosphere in a different light.

]]> http://www.francetravelguide.com/cathdedrals-of-france.html/comment-page-1#comment-46 Petey Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:50:58 +0000 http://www.francetravelguide.com/cathdedrals-of-france.html#comment-46 Wow where in the world did you find the time to see all of these cathedrals? I love the write up but was wondering if youve ever heard of audio guides? I found this site and am looking into getting one. <a href="http://www.allaudioguides.com" title="Audioguides for all destinations - All Audio Guides" rel="nofollow">AllAudioGuides</a>

Wow where in the world did you find the time to see all of these cathedrals? I love the write up but was wondering if youve ever heard of audio guides? I found this site and am looking into getting one.

AllAudioGuides

]]> http://www.francetravelguide.com/cathdedrals-of-france.html/comment-page-1#comment-45 Angie Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:34:39 +0000 http://www.francetravelguide.com/cathdedrals-of-france.html#comment-45 Fantastic article! Visiting the cathedrals of any city that I travel to in Europe. I love walking into the smaller ones and sometimes I'm rewarded with someone playing the organ or a choir practicing. Even visited a small cathedral in Paraty, Brazil. New Orleans has the St. Louis Cathedral which is a great place to write out of the heat of the day.

Fantastic article! Visiting the cathedrals of any city that I travel to in Europe. I love walking into the smaller ones and sometimes I’m rewarded with someone playing the organ or a choir practicing. Even visited a small cathedral in Paraty, Brazil. New Orleans has the St. Louis Cathedral which is a great place to write out of the heat of the day.

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