Bourges - Cathedral of St Etienne

On the east side of Rue Moyenne in Bourges is the Cathedral of St-Etienne, one of the most splendid of French cathedrals. It was built in two stages, the apse and choir (over an undercroft) between about 1195 and 1215, the nave and west front between 1225 and 1260. The magnificent west front, flanked by massive towers has five doorways with rich sculptural decoration and a beautiful 14th century rose window. In the tympanum of the central doorway is a fine representation of the Last Judgment. A fire in 1986 caused considerable damage.

The original north tower collapsed in 1506 and was rebuilt in Flamboyant style; from the top there are fine views. The south tower, which was given added support by a massive buttress in the early 14th C, is of severer form and was left unfinished. The cathedral is entered through the Romanesque south doorway, over which is a figure of Christ in Majesty, surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists. On the central pier is Christ in the act of blessing (13th C). The nave is flanked by double aisles, of different heights; there is no transept. The great glory of the interior is the 13th C stained glass in the ring of chapels round the choir. In front of the central chapel are kneeling figures of Duc Jean de Berry and his wife (century 1425).