The must-see Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Bourges
Sister of Notre-Dame de Paris. A must-see during a visit to Bourges, the Saint-Étienne Cathedral was built in the 12th century by Henry de Sully, then archbishop of Bourges, brother of Eudes de Sully, bishop and builder of Notre-Dame de Paris. On the highest point of the city, it overlooks the old city and can be seen for miles around!
Doubly ranked in the Unesco World Heritage (in 1992 as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and in 1998 as a stop on the Way of St. James), it is the widest in France at 41 metres wide. Its impressive size is accentuated by its five sculpted portals on the façade, known to enthusiasts around the world and leading to five interior naves, as well as by its absence of a transept (cross-shaped). The first Gothic cathedral south of the Loire, it had to be comparable to Notre-Dame de Paris. In the 1245th century, its construction began to replace the Romanesque cathedral, which was then considered too small. It was completed in 50 after XNUMX years of work.
Why is it essential?
- It does not have a transnsept (cross shape), which accentuates its length.
- It is topped with a pelican and not a rooster.
- Its 15th century astronomical clock surprises with the precision of its details.
- Its 3th century stained glass windows in the choir are mainly tinted red and present on all XNUMX levels.
Pratical information
Bourges Cathedral
Open for self-guided tours, the crypt offers a paid guided tour - €9. Guided tours are also organized by the City of Art and History department.
The Legendr Bourges application also allows you to discover the cathedral from every angle. On sale for €3 per tour in our Tourist Offices.
The historic center
Between cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. The historic heart of the city will not leave you indifferent! More than 400 half-timbered houses from the XNUMXth century line the pedestrian and cobbled streets, the private mansions, passages, staircases and ramparts.
Medieval and Renaissance, the city center has some nice surprises in store for you. Lose yourself and admire the details of the streets Bourbonnoux, Coursarlon, Mirebeau, Porte Jaune or d'Auron. Stroll to the Place Gordaine where the pedestrian streets meet and where it is always good to sit on a terrace... The passage of the ramparts will let you imagine the imposing fortress that was Bourges. You can even linger in a tea room installed in a former Gothic cellar.
anecdotes
- Julius Caesar was enchanted by the city. Before the siege of Avaricum (the Roman name for the city) in 52 BC, he described it as "one of the most beautiful cities in Gaul."
- Have you noticed this large cobblestone circle in front of the modern Town Hall building, which extends onto the street? This is the location of the "big tower" of Bourges in the Middle Ages. It proves the power of the city at the time. This impressively sized marking marks the former royal keep, the few remains of whose foundations are visible from the underground car park.
Jacques Coeur Palace
Meet a man ahead of his time! Discover the history and fascinating palace of Jacques Heart, an emblematic character of the entire territory. Born in Bourges around 1400, the son of a furrier, he would experience a meteoric rise driven by his commercial activity across the Mediterranean. He would become the Treasurer of King Charles VII and very powerful. His "grand maison" in Bourges, as he called it, bears witness to his avant-gardism for the time and retraces his history and his travels.
Like its creator, the palace presents a great modernity for the 15th century. Inspired by the Italian Renaissance observed during the travels of Jacques Cœur, it is one of the rare examples of civil architecture of this period and demonstrates all the particularity of the character.
Good to know
- Some architectural particularities to discover: for the period, some elements are truly avant-garde and worth the detour, such as its external spiral staircase which prefigures the Renaissance of the Châteaux of the Loire.
- Like a touch of the Orient: by observing the bas-relief sculptures in the interior courtyard, we find the inspiration of Jacques Cœur's travels: palm trees, orange trees, animals...
- Unique comfort for the 15th century: pantry with serving hatch, ovens, boiler room, latrines, etc.
- The treasure room: some legends speaking of a hidden treasure make you dream.
- The world of the sea: Jacques Cœur's voyages and fleet are omnipresent in the Palace. Boat sculptures, maps and even ceilings made from the hull of an upturned boat can be discovered during the visit.
The Marshes of Bourges
Nature in the heart of the city. 135 hectares of marshland in the heart of the city, we will admit that is unusual? Less than a quarter of an hour's walk from the historic center, enjoy the calm of nature and its thousands of plots that make up the green lung of the city...
Initially intended to provide natural protection for the city, these former marshes, crossed by several rivers and streams, have been converted into workers' gardens like those in Amiens or Saint-Omer. Today classified and protected, the Marais de Bourges are cultivated and cherished by many Berruyers who have made them their little green paradise. Each season has its own plantations, colors and peaceful atmosphere. Just a stone's throw from the city center, residents and visitors alike enjoy walking there to find peace and serenity.
Visit them
- Guided tours organized by the City of Art and History service – Information and program from the Tourist Office
- Freely: on foot or by bike on the walking trails. Access via rue Babylone, Quai des Maraîchers, chemin des Prébendes or chemin du Caraqui
- By boat or canoe: get as close as possible to the water and discover places accessible on foot.
To sit down or eat
- Le Caraqui and La Courcillière: two restaurants for lunch or dinner in this exceptional space.
- Anaïs Cold Brew: in season, Anaïs offers you a moment of disconnection in her third place. You can discover her cold-brewed coffee, some sweet treats and many activities around relaxation and well-being.
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