Bourges Cathedral, Gothic cathedral in Bourges, France
The cathedral features five main portals on its western facade, with double flying buttresses supporting the walls and large windows filtering natural light.
The construction of this religious edifice started in 1195 under Archbishop Henri de Sully and took approximately 65 years to reach completion.
The cathedral contains stained glass windows from the 13th century that present biblical narratives and depictions of saints for educational purposes.
The cathedral maintains regular visiting hours throughout the year, with modifications during religious services, and offers wheelchair accessibility for all visitors.
Unlike other Gothic cathedrals of its time, this structure does not include a transept but incorporates a porch and portal on its southern side.
Location: Bourges
Inception: 1195
Architectural style: classic gothic
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: Way of Saint James UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France
Address: place Étienne-Dolet
Website: https://belleseglises.com/eglises/79
GPS coordinates: 47.08222,2.39917
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:37
The Centre-Val de Loire showcases a diverse heritage, from medieval fortresses like Château de Lavardin to Renaissance structures. The region features protected natural sites such as the Chérine Nature Reserve and the Domaine du Ciran, which host hundreds of bird species in their ponds and woodlands. The Savonnières Pétrifiantes Caves illustrate local geological phenomena, while the Briare Canal Bridge demonstrates 19th-century engineering. This selection also includes historical and cultural sites, from the Dunois Mill preserving 17th-century mechanisms to the Marcel Proust Museum housed in an authentic residence. The Picassiette House in Chartres exhibits Raymond Isidore's unique work over several decades. The Parc Floral de la Source and the Saint-Ours Collegiate complete this exploration combining Gothic religious architecture with themed gardens, providing diverse discoveries accessible to visitors.
Berry gathers a historical and natural heritage that spans from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Bourges, built between 1195 and 1255, is one of France's major Gothic monuments, with five sculpted portals and 13th-century stained glass windows. The Jacques Cœur Palace, home of Charles VII's treasurer, showcases 15th-century civic architecture. The Bourges marshlands consist of a 135-hectare network of vegetable gardens irrigated by medieval canals, still cultivated in the city center. The region preserves several medieval castles such as Sagonne with its 30-meter square keep, and Noirlac Abbey, which features a complete monastic complex with cloister and monastic buildings. George Sand's estate in Nohant-Vic offers insight into the novelist's residence with period furnishings and her private theater. The Berry and Resistance museums in Bourges feature collections from Gallo-Roman times, medieval periods, and testimonies from World War II. The area also includes natural spaces like Lake Virlay, suitable for fishing and forest walks.
Hôtel de Panette
235 m
Remparts gallo-romains de Bourges
96 m
Jardin de l'Archevêché
155 m
Palais archiépiscopal de Bourges
89 m
Hôtel de Ville, Bourges
217 m
Portail Saint-Ursin
308 m
Bourges Bibliothèque Municipale
238 m
Musée des meilleurs ouvriers de France
71 m
Cloître de la cathédrale de Bourges
76 m
Hôtel de François Minard
286 m
Maison 17 rue Bourbonnoux, Bourges
296 m
Couvent de l'Annonciade de Bourges
300 m
Maison, 52 rue Bourbonnoux, Bourges
186 m
Maison, 77 rue Bourbonnoux, Bourges
106 m
Maison, 24 rue Bourbonnoux, Bourges
273 m
Fontaine Bourdaloue
285 m
Hôtel Bastard de Bourges
260 m
Hôtel de Chouys
266 m
Maison, 12 place Étienne-Dolet, 2 rue du Doyen
88 m
Immeuble de l'entreprise Leiseing
175 m
Hôtel des Postes de Bourges
245 m
Hôtel 22 rue Joyeuse
276 m
Chapelle Sainte-Jeanne-de-France de Bourges
310 m
Maison de la Tournelle
152 m
Orgue de tribune de la cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges
0 m
Maison, 14 place Étienne-Dolet, Bourges
75 m
Maison de Bienaimé Georges
192 m
Maison, 2, 4 avenue Henri-Ducrot
259 m
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