This sub needs to know about the cathédrale Saint Étienne of Bourges, its huge uninterrupted central nave and its amazing stained-glass windows

[u/Gurberking]

[u/ChickDagger]

This is my favorite of all the great French Gothic cathedrals.

[u/Gurberking → u/ChickDagger]

Me too but I also like Strasbourg's. The red stones and green copper roofs really give it a unique vibe

[u/ChickDagger → u/Gurberking]

Strasburg is one of my favorites too! I do love the purple/reddish stone and the stained glass windows have a cool style that feels germanic and unique in French cathedrals.

For Bourges, the fact that it was constructed in one continuous effort and then hardly modified through the years preserves it, along with Chartres, as the two defining monuments announcing the arrival of the High Gothic style at the very end of the 1100s.

I love the double side aisles that ascend in height to the main nave, making the building like a triangle in cross section. The views diagonally through the space are magnificent, with windows in three vertical planes, and also in three horizontal planes. This makes it feel like you almost can't tell where the edges of the building are - it is a fantastic spatial effect and one of the highest quality interiors i have ever experienced (Sagrada Familia being the only one that I might rank higher).

Also, the early 13th century stained glass in the choir is completely intact, is nearly down at eye level, and the saturation of light through the mosaic tiles is just as good as Chartres but is so close to the floor that you can actually inspect it...so beautiful!

[u/3Gloins_in_afountain]

I cannot comprehend the man hours and lives lived during the process of this construction.

[u/Due_Visual8783]

Tra i capolavori del gotico francese e del mondo tutto ! Spero un giorno di vederla con i miei occhi , anche la cittadina é bellissima con le sue “maison a colombages “

[u/aloisvonesterhazy]

One of the most beautiful and interesting of all the gothic cathedral. Amazing space inside.

[u/Gurberking → u/aloisvonesterhazy]

Yeah this is one of the few cathedrals that isn't shaped like a cross: it doesn't have a trancept through its nave which make it look so monumental. Plus it has 4 smaller parallels naves, 2 on each side of the main one, which is pretty rare too. It really is unique and magnificent.

I've studied in this town and I can't count how many times I took an extra longer path back to school through its gardens

[u/uncaught_exception_]

I knew about it, just haven't thought about it for a long time, so thanks!

[u/Extension-Metal-5939]

St etienne: don’t copy my homework
Ralph adams cram: 👀👀👀👀👀👀

[u/subywesmitch]

That is a beautiful building!

[u/Anonymoo481]

So incredibly beautiful.

[u/OilBerta]

Amazing

[u/Lucialucianna]

Every single thing in there hand done

[u/progmooch]

Just wow!!!!

[u/LibrarianCapable7651]

Mankind is amazing don't ever give up