Le Mans Cathedral

In Le Mans, at the north end of Rue de la Reine Bérengère is the Cathedral of St- Julien (named after a third C. apostle). The Romanesque nave dates from the 11th-12th C., the Gothic choir from the 13th and the Late Gothic transepts from the 14th and 15th. On its south side is a 12th C. doorway decorated with statues, reminiscent of the Royal Doorway at Chartres, with a porch (Porche du Chevalier). The interior is impressive, with magnificent stained glass (13th-14th C.) in the choir, beautiful tapestries (15th-16th C.), two tombs (on left) and a 17th C. terracotta "Entombment" (on right). In the north transept are a fine 15th C. rose window and (on left) the tomb of Berengaria, wife of Richard Coeur- de-Lion (13th C.). In the Lady Chapel (Chapelle de la Vierge), in the apse, are beautiful 14th C. frescoes.