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Written by Adarsh S on June 25, 2021 Share on

Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals in France to Visit on Your France Trip

France is the world’s most popular tourist destination. Many people like visiting the unique country for a variety of reasons. It may include its natural beauty, wonderful climate, outdoor leisure activities such as golf courses, art museums and galleries, and so much more. Moreover the Visitors can participate in a variety of activities that trace the country’s history and are especially pleasant for children. In Addition to this, you will also like its cuisine and wines. It’s easy to say that French people enjoy cooking and eating. But your search for beautiful cathedrals end here. What PickYourTrail wants you all to know is – the Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals in France.

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Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals in France

  • Notre Dame Cathedral, Reims
  • Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres
  • Saint Pierre Cathedral, Beauvais
  • Basilica of Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Albi
  • Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
  • Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens
  • Saint Etienne Cathedral, Bourges

1. Notre Dame Cathedral, Reims

Notre Dame Cathedral, Reims - Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals
Image Source: Unsplash

The city of Reims, in the Champagne-Ardenne region, is home to France’s most magnificent and majestic cathedral. Moreover the crowning of the French kings took place in this gothic art masterpiece. It was the consequence of a perfect equilibrium between Church and State that made the French monarchy a political model across Europe until contemporary times. Additionally, The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the neighbouring 9th-century Abbey of Saint Remi and Tau Palace, the ancient archiepiscopal palace.

2. Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres

Notre Dame Cathedral, Chartres - Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals
Image Source: Unsplash

This cathedral, located in the ancient town of Chartres, some 50 miles north of Paris, is one of the finest architectural accomplishments in history. Furthermore, it is nearly fully kept in its original design and features, providing you with an impression of how it seemed when it was constructed. The enormous cycle of gateway sculpture in Chartres is still complete, and the brilliant stained-glass windows are all originals. The cathedral has been a prominent pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages, in addition to its architectural beauty.

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3. Saint Pierre Cathedral, Beauvais

Saint Pierre Cathedral, Beauvais - Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals
Image Source: istockphotos

The cathedral, ambitious and defying gravity, holds the record for the tallest ceiling in a gothic choir in Christendom. Additionally, it also demonstrates the builders’ ambition, even if they were unable to complete it. The cathedral, which began construction in 1225 and was intended to be the largest church in the country, has had several difficulties and structural failures over the ages. What we have now is amazing enough for us to picture what the final product might have looked like. When walking through centre Beauvais, it’s difficult to miss the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, which is located on Rue Saint-Pierre, approximately a block northwest of the Place Jean Hachette (the city’s main plaza).

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4. Basilica of Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Albi

Basilica of Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Albi - Top 7 Most Beautiful Cathedrals
Image Source: istockphotos

The Basilica of Saint Cecilia Cathedral, located in Albi, southern France, is the city’s most prominent ecclesiastical structure and the seat of the Archbishop of Albi. It is the world’s biggest brick edifice. Following the effective eradication of the Cathar heretics, the monument is a testimony to the Roman Catholic church’s authority. Moreover, The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The splendour of the Albi Cathedral of St. Cecilia, located in southwestern France, hides a bloody history. Those turbulent days are now gone, and the cathedral is now a serene place of prayer and a must-see site for tourists to Albi.

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5. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Image Source: Unsplash

Notre Dame de Paris is the world’s most renowned religious landmark. It is one of the greatest examples of French Gothic architecture. Moreover, During the extreme period of the French Revolution, the cathedral was desecrated, with most of its religious imagery damaged or destroyed. A major restoration project undertaken in the nineteenth century, restoring the cathedral to its former glory. The stained glass windows are very stunning. Unlike older Romanesque construction, the sculptures and stained glass windows of Notre Dame Cathedral exhibit a strong influence of realism. It is one of the first Gothic cathedrals. It was built during the course of the Gothic era.

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6. Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens

Notre Dame Cathedral, Amiens
Image Source: istockphotos

The Cathedral of Amiens, located in the centre of Picardy, is France’s tallest and biggest gothic church. The plan’s coherence, the elegance of its three-tier internal elevation, and the exceptionally excellent exhibition of sculptures on the major facade and in the south transept are all noteworthy. Despite severe combat in the area surrounding Amiens during World Wars I and II, the cathedral had spared major damage. For the beauty and harmony of the art and architecture, it is declared as a UNESCO world historic site.

7. Saint Etienne Cathedral, Bourges

Saint Etienne Cathedral, Bourges
Image Source: istockphotos

The Bourges Cathedral, considered one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art, erected during the late 12th and 13th centuries. The stained-glass windows in this church are excellent examples of art from the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. In Addition to that, The other name for it is the Cathedral of Saint Etienne, Bourges. Moreover, It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Church resembles the model like the one in Paris but with some variations in design. Moreover, the Unique architectural marvels, magnificent sculptures, and stained glass windows are a part of the cathedral.

 

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That’s all right! For the time being, that’s all there is to it. I hope you had a good time on the ride, and I know you really want to go to France. Don’t be concerned; simply let PickYourTrail assist you in planning your trip to France. Meanwhile, Check out these amazing France Packages to get an idea. See you soon and stay tuned for more Blogs.

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