Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges

The Cathedral Saint-Etienne de Bourges, unique in its architectural design, is a jewel of the Gothic art in France. Since 1992 it is ranked as World Heritage by the UNESCO.

The Cathedral Saint-Etienne is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world. The towers of the Cathedral Saint-Etienne de Bourges were built in the early o12th century. They have since suffered from damage due to foundation settlement, which had threatened the adjacent vaults. Despite consolidation work, the north tower collapsed in 1506 and thirty years of repairs were needed. The new tower, called tour de Beurre, owes its name to the nature of its financing consisted of waivers granted fast against cash payment. It is now higher than the tower Deaf, located in the south. The crypt, built around 1200, was intended to raise the choir at the appropriate level and this lower church has such beautiful arches.

The tomb of the Duke of Berry is located in the double ambulatory, while the tombs of archbishops occupy the central chamber. At the bottom of the rotunda, a Holy Sepulchre from the XVI century is exposed under a canopy. Since 1994, the remains of the rood screen of the XVIII century were deposited in the crypt by the Louvre.