Forcalquier Cathedral, Romanesque cathedral in Forcalquier, France.
Forcalquier Cathedral, now the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Bourguet, has a nave, choir, transept and bell tower from the early 13th century, among the first Gothic works in southern France. The bell tower is 16th-century, while the side aisles and the tower's second storey were added in the 17th century. The pale stone facade has a pointed portal and a rose window, and the tower carries a clock face and a small lantern with a cross.
The bishop of Sisteron, barred from his own city by a dispute with the chapter, settled at Forcalquier and raised the 12th-century collegiate church to co-cathedral in 1408. The nave, choir, transept and bell tower were built in the early 13th century, and the diocese was suppressed in 1801, after which the church became parochial.
The cathedral houses a remarkable organ from 1629 that continues to produce music during religious services and concerts. This instrument remains central to the musical and spiritual life of the place today.
The cathedral is located at Place du Bourguet 10 in the center of Forcalquier, within walking distance of the local Tourist Office. It is easily found on foot by heading toward the old town.
The nave, choir, transept and cloister were built in the early 13th century, making them one of the first experiments in Gothic art in the Pays d'Oc. The bell tower came later, in the 16th century, and the side naves and the tower's second storey were added in the 17th. The clock and the small lantern dome were rebuilt in 2008-2009 after lightning damage.
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