Saint-Étienne Cathedral

Saint-Étienne Cathedral, in Bourges

Saint-Étienne Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic art and the most emblematic monument of Bourges, inscribed on the World Heritage list. The Bourges audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this major sanctuary, famous for its portals and its stained-glass windows.

A masterpiece of Gothic art

Built mainly in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Bourges is one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals of France, inscribed on the World Heritage list. Its original design, without transept, gives it a unique amplitude. Its façade opens with five magnificently sculpted portals, including that of the Last Judgment. Inside, it keeps exceptional thirteenth-century stained-glass windows, a crypt and a panoramic tower. It is one of the summits of medieval architecture.

What to see

You admire the five sculpted portals, including the Last Judgment, the exceptional thirteenth-century stained-glass windows, the crypt and the panoramic tower, in an atmosphere of contemplation. Saint-Étienne Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece inscribed on the World Heritage list. It is a major stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

Saint-Étienne Cathedral lies in the heart of Bourges, reachable on foot. A working place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry to the nave is generally free, while the crypt and the tower follow their own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check the arrangements before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the cathedral of Bourges exceptional?

For its design without transept, its five sculpted portals and its exceptional thirteenth-century stained-glass windows; it is one of the greatest Gothic cathedrals of France, inscribed on the World Heritage list.

Where is Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Bourges?

In the heart of Bourges, in the Cher.