Gothic architecture emerged in 12th-century France and dominated Western Europe for four centuries. Today, Gothic cathedrals are among France's top attractions. The cathedrals erected during the high period, which lasted through the mid-13th century, have stained glass windows, flying buttresses and facades with profuse, elaborate sculptures. The style also perfected the use of ribbed vaults and pointed arches, which facilitated the cathedrals' unprecedented heights. Bring binoculars to admire the stained glass scenes.
Construction on Chartres Cathedral (cathedrale-chartres.monuments-nationaux.fr) began in 1145, though much of the original structure had to be rebuilt after a fire destroyed large portions in 1194. Most of the current features date to the 13th century. Deemed "the high point of French Gothic art" by UNESCO, Chartres Cathedral is known for the labyrinth on the floor of the nave and for its stained glass windows, which cover nearly 27,000 square feet. Admission to the cathedral is free, though there is a fee to climb up to the bell towers, the taller of which soars 377 feet.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame of Amiens (amiens-cathedrale.fr), or Amiens Cathedral, in the Picardy region distinguishes itself by its size. With a length of 463 feet, it is the largest cathedral in the country. It was built between 1220 and 1270 -- practically overnight for a cathedral of its magnitude. Not to be missed here are the sculptures on the portals of the facade. The higher of two galleries above the portals features 22 statues of kings.
Many a French king was crowned at the site of the Reims Cathedral (cathedrale-reims.culture.fr), built over nearly a century beginning in 1211 precisely for that purpose. Every year, over a million visitors flock to Reims Cathedral, which surpasses its peers in its wealth of decorative statuettes -- more than 2,300 -- on its facade. Look for the famous "Smiling Angel" figure above the left door, which depicts martyrs and saints. The right portal illustrates the biblical apocalypse. For a fee, you can also climb to the top of the cathedral's symmetrical towers.
Bourges Cathedral (cathedrale-bourges.monuments-nationaux.fr) was constructed between the late 12th and 13th centuries. Officially the Cathedral of St. Etienne of Bourges, it was one of the first cathedrals to bear the classic Gothic features. According to UNESCO, "its principal claim lies in its striking beauty." Designed without a transept, Bourges Cathedral is also noted for its stained glass windows. The ticket you must purchase to explore the cathedral's north tower also grants access to the crypt, which dates to the 12th century and is the largest in France.
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