St. Peter and St. Florus Cathedral

St. Peter and St. Florus Cathedral is a Gothic structure in Saint-Flour constructed from black volcanic stone that features pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. The stone comes from local quarries and gives the building a distinctive dark appearance.

Construction began in 1398, marking the cathedral as part of the late Gothic period. The 19th century brought significant changes, including the removal of two side towers between 1846 and 1856.

The cathedral functions as the seat of the local Catholic diocese and remains an active place of worship for the community. Visitors can experience religious services and ceremonies that show how this building continues to play a role in daily life.

The building sits in central Saint-Flour on Place d'Armes and is easily reached through the old streets and arcades of the town center. Interested visitors can join guided tours to learn more about the architecture and history.

This cathedral sits at 892 meters above sea level, making it the highest cathedral in Europe. The extreme elevation in the Auvergne highlands makes this location a remarkable example of religious architecture in challenging geography.

Location: Saint-Flour

Inception: 1398

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

GPS coordinates: 45.03344,3.09510

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46