"Small Town, Grand Cathedral" Top 5 Page for this destination Bourges by yooperprof

Bourges Travel Guide: 50 reviews and 136 photos

Nearing the Cathedral from the West

Always, Architecture is intertwined with politics. This great Cathedral is no exception. It was the first Cathedral in the French Royal Style (a.k.a. Gothic) to be constructed south of the Loire. Building was started in 1195, just as the powerful King Philip Augustus was beginning his series of wars against the English monarchs (first Richard the Lion-Hearted and later King John) which would eventually result in ending the Plantagenets' dominion over most of northwestern France. Doubtlessly, royal and monastic support for the building of this enormous pile was a sign of their intention to make their presence known in a region previously "up for grabs".

A Closer-View of the Timpanum

It's possible that the master builder for Bourges Cathedral came here directly from Paris, where he would have been employed at Notre Dame. There are numerous parallels between the Bourges structure and the better known "cousin" in the royal capital.

An Allegory in Stone

The Last Judgement

Saved to the Right, Sinners to the Left.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:A place where it is possible to perceive the faith of the Middle Ages

Last visit to Bourges: Mar 2000
Intro Updated Jan 18, 2003
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Reviews (8)

Up With the Angels Things to Do (5)

It always is worth keeping in mind that the builders of medieval cathedrals worked with nothing more than the simplest... more travel advice

A Medieval Maze of Streets Things to Do (5)

This is the view westward from the Cathedral Tower. The shorter tower in the foreground is from the Jacques Coeur Palace... more travel advice

Catching My Breath After the Climb - Bourges

View of Bourges Things to Do (5)

more travel advice

Climbing the Cathedral Tower Things to Do (5)

The west towers of the Cathedral are relatively new - only about 500 years old. They were replacements for original... more travel advice

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See All The Discreet Charm of the Bourges-oisie

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Comments (6)

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GentleSpirit Aug 18, 2012 at 9:46 PM

Lovely photos, oh i do love gothic cathedrals, that looks fantastic. thanks Sire tourguide with the midwestern accent
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Jeannette1 Feb 25, 2005 at 4:38 PM

I enjoyed revisiting your Bourges page. Oui, c'est vraiment la France profonde ici :-) Jeannette
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freya_heaven Dec 12, 2004 at 12:56 PM

You really are up with the angels on the top of the Cathedral, the views are amazing from up there. Very nice page, great photos! (~_~)
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keeweechic Dec 20, 2003 at 8:24 PM

What an awesom cathedral... stunning. Certainly a similarity to Notre Dame. Fabulous view... the city seems so colour co-ordinated:-) wonderful stroll through the streets.
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jessicadf Apr 4, 2003 at 9:00 PM

So beautiful -- wonderful photographs
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matcrazy1 Feb 2, 2003 at 3:19 PM

Meandering Streets and the city from the top of tower look amazing!