Bourges Cathedral

Lore & Background

The site has a long Christian history, with a church mentioned by Gregory of Tours in the 6th century. Earlier cathedrals were built by Bishop Gauzelin between 1013 and 1030, and in about 1150 Archbishop Pierre de La Châtre added two collateral aisles. The current Gothic cathedral began under Archbishop Henri de Sully, who laid the foundation stone in 1195, but the main construction was undertaken by his successor, Archbishop Guillaume de Seignelay. Work started on a lower church built six metres deep where old ramparts had been. The chevet was finished around 1206, and the choir was substantially completed by about 1214. The nave was finished by 1235, and the wooden roof framework, requiring nine hundred oak trees, was completed between 1240 and 1255, though a fire caused serious damage in 1259.

In the 14th to 16th centuries, the cathedral saw additions like the Grand Housteau bay (1314) and eleven new chapels built between 1406 and 1491. The Bourges astronomical clock was installed in 1424. The north tower collapsed on December 31, 1506, and was rebuilt between 1508 and 1524, nicknamed the Butter Tower. The north tower was rebuilt in Flamboyant Gothic style after the collapse, while the west front had been largely built earlier. During the French Wars of Religion in 1562, a Protestant army pillaged the treasury and smashed sculptures. In the 18th century, the Gothic altar and rood screen were removed, and many stained glass windows were replaced with grisaille glass. During the French Revolution, the cathedral was turned into a Temple of Reason, and bells were melted for cannon.

In the 19th century, the cathedral was returned to the Catholic Church and underwent restoration from 1829 to 1847, with some modifications of questionable historic basis. It was declared a historic monument in 1862 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. In 1994–95, the rood screen of the lower church was restored, the astronomical clock was repaired, and stained glass windows were cleaned and protected.

Reader's Guide

Bourges Cathedral stands as a significant example of High Gothic architecture, notable for its distinct plan where the collateral aisles rise in steps from the outside to the centre, unlike the uniform height at Chartres. Its interior is celebrated for its great size and unity, and the cathedral houses a large collection of 13th-century stained glass windows. The sculptural decoration of its portals is also highly regarded. The cathedral's history reflects centuries of religious and political change, from its construction atop earlier Romanesque churches to its survival through the French Wars of Religion and the French Revolution. The collapse of the north tower in 1506 and its subsequent rebuilding as the Butter Tower, funded by dispensations for eating butter during Lent, is a notable episode. The cathedral's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 underscores its architectural importance. Ongoing restorations in the late 20th century, including the repair of the astronomical clock and the cleaning of stained glass, have helped preserve its legacy. The cathedral remains a key landmark in Bourges and a testament to Gothic craftsmanship.

Did You Know?

• The cathedral was built at about the same time as Chartres Cathedral.
• The north tower, rebuilt after collapsing in 1506, was nicknamed the Butter Tower.
• The Bourges astronomical clock, installed in 1424, is still functional after many repairs.
• During the French Revolution, the cathedral was transformed into a Temple of Reason.