Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges - A visit

Vacation report 9 - Bourges, France

Time has really run away since we visited this impressive Cathédrale in Bourges, situated in the middle of France. Above you see it from outside, front part. And below the rear part.

The construction began in 1195 and was completed in two Phases 1195-1215 and 1220-1245. The Cathedral was build astride the ancient Gallo-Roman fortifications. It replaced a smaller, Romanesque edifice and it was dedicated on May 5, 1324. It's build with a gothic architecture, but not the mainstream style at the time.
If you think about the time this cathedral was build, I think you'll have a clue of how people were dedicated to their religion....
Dimensions of the main nave: Lenght 117 m (384 feet), width 41 m ( 135 f) and height 37 m ( 121 f). The cathedral was added to the list of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1992.

Let's go inside, ok?

The great oak organ casing was sculped in 1663. The current instrument was buildt in 1985. It has over 3500 pipes distributed over 50 registers which are operated by 4 manuals and a pedalier through an entirely mechanical transmission.

Look also for the astronomical clock in the nave, which commemorates the wedding of Charles VII and Marie d'Anjou here on April 22, 1422. It's the oldest still in use in France. Constructed by Jean Fusoris (1365 - 1436).
Inside you will find several Chapelles dedicated different Saints for people to pray and lit a candle as you can see on the left side. One more Chapelle below.



This is some details from Saint John, the Baptist, Chapelle.

Let me invite you to see some other of the fantastic, medieval stained-glass paintings (480 panels in total) in the Cathedral. Wordless. Just enjoy. And think about when they were made....








We stayed for one hour, before we went outside: Paulette, Claude and Anna.
I think I was there too, close by.

We were overwhelmed after the visit and sat down in the sunshine for a while.
Here you see me, Anna and Paulette. Photo taken by my old friend Claude.
After some minutes rest, we left for Sancerre (Post from last week).

More Vacation reports from France to come . . .