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Learn about the history, characteristics, and examples of the Gothic style that emerged in France in the 12th century and spread across Europe. Explore the four phases of Gothic architecture, from Early to Flamboyant, and the famous cathedrals of Paris, Reims, Chartres, and Amiens.
3 days ago · Learn about the history, characteristics, and variations of Gothic architecture, a style of masonry building that lasted from the 12th to the 16th century in Europe. See images of famous Gothic cathedrals in France, Germany, Britain, and Spain.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris
- Notre-Dame d’Amiens, Somme, Hauts de France
- Saint Pierre de Beauvais, Oise, Hauts de France
- Saint-Étienne de Bourges, Cher, Centre-Val de Loire
- Notre-Dame de Chartres, Eure-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire
- Notre-Dame de Laon, Aisne, Hauts de France
- Notre-Dame de Reims, Marne, Grand Est
- Notre-Dame de Rouen, Normandy
- Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, Bas Rhin, Grand Est
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Notre-Dame is one of France’s great gothic cathedrals. However many images you may have seen of this great 12th-century building, you still get a ‘wow’ moment at first sight, even though it is now partially destroyed. Located on the Ile de la Cité island in the Seine river, the cathedral was begun in 1163 and completed around 1245. It has fabulous ...
The French Gothic cathedral of Amiens is the largest in France and also has the rare quality of being pretty uniform in its architecture. Most unusually at a time when cathedrals took decades, if not centuries to build and had an alarming tendency to fall down, catch fire or lose the odd tower, it took just 50 years to build Amiens. It became a UNE...
Construction began in 1225 with the aim of making Beauvais the highest building in Europe and the most impressive French Gothic cathedral in the known world. In 1272 it wasthe highest, then in 1282 ambition came crashing down along with the tower that inconveniently collapsed. There was further construction: the choir was rebuilt and a new central ...
The Cathedral of St-Étienne is another great French Gothic cathedral, modeled on Notre-Dame in Paris. Right in the center of medieval Bourges, its flying buttresses take center stage, looking like filigree work holding up the massive walls and towers. Walk through the west front where the tympanum above the doorway shows the Last Judgement – a warn...
Notre-Dame in Chartres is one of the great cathedrals of France, exceptionally well preserved. The cathedral was neither looted nor damaged during the French Revolution and remained intact during two World Wars. Built in around 70 years, the cathedral is a uniform design which is rare. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Notre-Dame de...
Notre-Dame de Laon has a fascinating history though it’s not as well known as many of the other great Gothic cathedrals. Started in the mid 12thcentury, Laon led the way in the design of this new, outrageous Gothic architecture. Its porches, towers and gallery of arcades above the west front appeared in the later cathedrals of Chartres, Reims and P...
Dominating the city, the late Gothic cathedral of Reims is a glorious site. The site dates back to the 5th-century basilica where Clovis (c.466-511), the first Catholic King of the Franks, was baptized. The present cathedral was built in the 13thcentury. Unusually, the names of the cathedral’s original architects are known from the record of a labr...
If the Cathedral of Notre-Dame seems familiar it’s probably from one of the over 30 works of the glorious Gothic extravaganza painted by the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Even so the first sight of Notre-Dame in Rouen always impresses. The project was launched by the Archbishop of Rouen in 1145 after he had attended the consecration of the Ba...
Built from the reddish-pink stone of the Vosges, Strasbourg cathedral is a contrast to the other great pale stone Gothic buildings of France. Started in 1015, it still has Romanesque traits. It was added to in the 14thcentury and its single spire was built in 1439, reaching high up to the heavens. At 142 metres (466 ft) it was the world’s tallest b...
Explore the history and architecture of nine of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France, from Notre-Dame in Paris to Strasbourg. Learn about their origins, features, decorations and how to visit them.
Jan 29, 2024 · Learn about the origins, features, and variations of Gothic architecture, a style that emerged in 12th-century France and spread across Europe. Discover the iconic examples of Gothic cathedrals, the role of light and ornamentation, and the modern adaptations of Gothic principles.
Learn about the origins, features and spread of the Gothic style in architecture and the arts, from the 12th to the 16th century. See examples of Gothic buildings, sculptures, paintings and stained glass from France and England.
Rayonnant is a term used to describe the style of French High Gothic architecture. Architects began to emphasize repetitive decorative motifs, a smaller, more human-scaled building, and a plethora of stained glass.
Learn about Chartres Cathedral, one of the three chief examples of Gothic French architecture, with its innovative design, sculptures, and stained glass. Explore its history, features, and significance as a pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
