20+ Most Famous Churches in France to Visit This Year!
Last Updated on May 14, 2024 by April Nicole
France is a country with well over a hundred cathedrals, many of which date back to the Middle Ages. It is the birthplace of the Gothic and the location of the earliest stone cathedrals. Here are some of the most famous churches in France, many of which are among the world’s finest examples of Gothic style.
The word “cathedra,” which refers to the bishop’s throne and is derived from the Latin “grand chair,” is what gives a cathedral its name. The period of Great Cathedrals started in the 12th century with the construction of Notre Dame’s stone cathedral. And in only 150 years after that, some 80 cathedrals were constructed.
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If you are in a hurry, here’s a summary of the most beautiful cathedrals in France:
Cathedrals in France
Albi Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d’Albi)
Architectural style: Late Gothic
It is sometimes said that the fortified cathedral at Albi is the biggest brick structure in the world. The more likely winner for this distinction, though, is Malbork Castle in Poland.
Nevertheless, construction on this UNESCO World Heritage site began around the tail end of the 12th century. The religious structure’s attractions include a 78-meter bell tower and the largest Gothic nave in France. This is without a doubt one of the French cathedrals you shouldn’t miss out on seeing!
Don’t miss – the consequences for the seven deadly sins as shown in the mural of the Last Judgment from the 15th century underneath the organ.
Tours Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours)
Architectural style: French Gothic
One of the large gothic cathedrals in the French Loire Valley is the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien in the city of Tours.
Construction on the cathedral, which serves as the residence of the Archbishops of Tours, started in the 12th century, about the same time that Paris, Reims, and Chartres cathedrals did. On the current location, churches from as early as the fourth century have stood.
In addition to being a Roman Catholic church, it is famous for housing the tombs of Anne of Brittany’s children with her first husband, King Charles VIII of France. (She was Queen of France twice thanks to her marriage to King Louis XII.)
Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims)
Architectural style: Late/ High Gothic
The stunning Notre Dame Reims Cathedral, pronounced “ranz” (I know, it’s complicated! ), was built beginning in the 13th century. The Kings of France once opted to be crowned here, which was built on the site of old Roman Baths.
Reims, the entryway to the Champagne region, also boasts a great art gallery and an episcopal palace from the 17th century. Check out my guide to the finest of Reims for even more ideas for the Champagne region city.
Don’t miss – the cathedral’s east end’s Marc Chagall-designed stained-glass windows.
Chartres Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres)
Architectural style: Early Gothic
The historic town of Chartres, which is located on the edge of the Loire Valley, is dotted with timber-framed homes. In addition to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, the city serves as the entryway to the numerous French châteaux that dot the area.
The current Chartres Cathedral was built in the 12th century, making it at least the fifth fortress to sit on the same location. Flying buttresses and an elaborately carved façade are two of this historic Medieval building’s highlights. It is open every day and is free to enter.
Don’t miss – Cobalt oxide-tinted Chartres bleu glass was used to create the Blue Virgin stained glass window.
Beauvais Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais)
Architectural style: Late Gothic
The incomplete cathedral at Beauvais, located in the Oise Department in Northern France, is designed in the Late Gothic style. The church, which was dedicated in the thirteenth century, is home to a number of magnificent clocks, including a medieval clock and an astronomical clock from the nineteenth century.
Orléans Cathedral (Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d’Orléans)
Architectural style: Gothic & Gothic Revival
The episcopal seat of the diocese of Orléans is the Sainte-Croix d’Orléans Cathedral, a Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral. Since at least the fourth century, a building has been located here.
During her conflicts with the English, Joan of Arc is also thought to have prayed here numerous times. Huge portions of the Cathedral were destroyed in a 1568 explosion by a gang of Protestant Huguenots.
King Henri IV, a part-time protestant himself, and his wife Queen Marie de Medicis lay the foundation stone for the modern Cathedral of Orleans in 1601. It was constructed in the Gothic style, like the other significant cathedrals in France.
Its five substantial bells, which are named for the saints Jeanne d’Are, Michel, Catherine, and Marguerite as well as notable Catholic Félix Dupanloup, are located in the north tower.
Rouen Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen)
Architectural style: Late Gothic
The center of Rouen, the capital city of Normandy, is home to the gothic and magnificent Rouen Cathedral, which is surrounded by numerous timber-framed homes. Rouen Cathedral was once the tallest structure in the world and is the final resting place of Rollo, a notable Viking chieftain, and Richard the Lionheart. This is perhaps the most important church in France to see!
Don’t miss – projections of Monet’s works onto the cathedral during the summer light show.
Basilica of Saint Denis (Basilique-cathédrale de Saint-Denis)
Architectural style: Gothic
If the French Kings were crowned at the Reims Cathedral, then they were interred there in the Basilica-Cathedral of Saint-Denis. Nearly all of the kings from the 10th century to Louis XVIII in the 19th century are buried in the cathedral in Saint-Denis, a small town just outside of Paris.
Saint Denis, who legend has it to have taken his severed head up the hill of Montmartre, is honored in the cathedral and the town as one of the patron saints of France. The location was first used as a Gallo-Roman cemetery, which is how the custom of interring the royals here came to be.
Additionally, Henri IV of France converted to Catholicism at the Basilica Saint-Denis in 1593, using the famous phrase “Paris is worth a mass” in the process.
Don’t miss – the exquisite funerary sculpture that decorates the tombs, which dates from the 12th through the 16th century.
Amiens Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens )
Architectural style: Gothic
The ecclesiastical building, which is still used as the Bishop of Amiens’ residence, is the tallest complete Gothic cathedral in France and the largest by internal volume. Although it looks that the building’s façade is only stone, the Western side was painted in a wide variety of colors at some point during the Middle Ages.
Don’t miss – the beautiful façade, which at Christmas comes to life with color and light.
Laon Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon)
Architectural style: Early Gothic
The northern French city of Laon is pronounced very perplexingly as “Lon.” The building is still worth visiting even if it is no longer a “official cathedral” because the Bishopric was suppressed at the turn of the 19th century. In reality, it’s a significant stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through France to Spain.
The cathedral’s exquisite medieval stained glass windows, particularly an amazing Rose window, and its lofty vaulted interior are among of its greatest features. It was built in the 12th century (eight years before Notre Dame in Paris).
Don’t miss – the two western towers’ 16 life-size ox sculptures, which honor the role that pack animals played in moving the stone.
Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris)
Architectural style: Gothic
The Notre Dame Cathedral, which is situated in the center of Paris, is arguably France’s most well-known cathedral. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a novel by Victor Hugo, is credited with making this medieval building famous (and presumably saving it as well). It is sometimes recognized as the finest illustration of French Gothic style.
Highlights of Notre Dame include grotesque gargoyles, the Holy Crown of Thorns (supposed to be the crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus during the crucifixion), and several elaborately carved wood objects. Notre Dame is open every day and is free to visit.
Please be aware that Notre Dame, the historic French cathedral, is now closed due to the tragic fire that broke out there in April 2019.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice)
One of France’s unusual cathedrals is located in Nice. On the French Riviera, the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral stands out as the largest orthodox church outside of Russia. Tsar Nicholas II supported the construction of this church, which features six cupolas that are largely covered in green tiles and topped with crosses and was built for the Russian community on the Côte d’Azur. The inside has frescoes painted in gold and blue.
Don’t miss – the bell dome tower covered in gold leaf throughout.
Meaux Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Meaux)
Architectural style: Gothic & Romanesque
Meaux, a charming French village, is only one hour’s drive from Paris. A must-visit for any foodie who like French cuisine is Meaux, which also produces its own brand of mustard and Brie de Meaux cheese. The most impressive World War I museum in the world and a cathedral that blends many Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles are both located in the city today.
Limoges Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Limoges)
Architectural style: Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque
In South West France, Limoges is a greatly underappreciated city that is sometimes ignored in favor of its more well-known neighbors (Poitiers and La Rochelle, among others). Limoges is famous for its historic center from the Middle Ages and its eponymous porcelain.
Even though the Limoges Cathedral was built in the 13th century, it wasn’t finished until 1888! As a result, the cathedral features a lovely fusion of architectural styles. The Renaissance Rood Screen and the frescoed walls of the Romanesque crypt are two more prominent features of the cathedral.
Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg)
Architectural style: Early Gothic
The contemporary Strasbourg Cathedral has housed several churches from 90 AD, which explains the remnants in the Romanesque style. It is also referred to as the Cathédrale Notre-Dame and is still regarded as one of the best examples of late medieval architecture. Until 1874, it was the highest medieval building in the entire world. An astronomical clock constructed between 1352 and 1354 is one of its many outstanding features.
A boat is said to still be drifting aimlessly in the lake underneath the cathedral, and if you listen attentively, you may hear the sound of the oars plunging in and out of the water. Another chilling legend is that the noise you hear is the Devil trying to escape the cathedral while he is imprisoned within and riding the wind.
Don’t miss – the cathedral’s ornate organ, which is covered in gold leaf.
Bordeaux Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux)
Architectural style: Gothic & Renaissance
The city of Bordeaux, which is the capital of the South-West French region of the same name, is well worth a long weekend trip because it is best renowned for its robust wines. The city’s spectacular architecture and a trip to the Bordeaux Cathedral, built in the eleventh century, are two of the greatest things to do right now.
Notre-Dame de la Garde
Architectural style: Byzantine Revival
Notre Dame de la Garde, perched on the city’s highest point, provides breathtaking views of the Mediterranean harbor. This 19th-century cathedral, with its striped towers and domes, was constructed in the Neo-Byzantine style and would not look out of place in the Middle East. Except for the massive Madonna and Child monument made of bronze and gilded in gold that is located atop the main tower.
Don’t miss – the interiors of the domes are lined with gold mosaics.
Béziers Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire-et-Saint-Celse de Béziers)
Architectural style: Romanesque
Béziers, a city in Southern France, is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was the terrible location of the Béziers Massacre during the Albigensian Crusade. The Béziers Cathedral was constructed between the 12th and the 15th centuries, and a Roman Temple had previously been on the site.
If you decide to travel to the lesser-known French city of Beziers today, make sure to visit the cathedral, climb the bell tower for a breathtaking view of the Languedoc region, and enter the Jardin des Eveques (Bishop’s Garden), a beautifully landscaped area that dominates the rest of the fortified town.
Metz Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Metz)
Architectural style: French Gothic & Gothic Revival
The city of Metz is a very gorgeous and underrated city that is well of a voyage through on any trip through this region of the world. It is located in the Grand-Est Region of France, about 30 minutes from the border of Luxembourg by car. Between the 13th and the 16th centuries, the present cathedral was constructed.
Numerous breathtaking stained glass windows, including several created by the well-known artist Marc Chagall, can be seen inside the Metz Cathedral. The cathedral’s collection of stained glass is so extensive that it is sometimes referred to as la Lanterne du Bon Dieu (the Good Lord’s Lantern) and has the biggest collection of stained glass windows in the whole world.
You should also be educated that Metz Cathedral has the greatest surface area of stained glass windows in France, measuring an astonishing 70,000 square feet.
Poitiers Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers )
Architectural style: Gothic
In Poitiers, bells have rung since the eleventh century. The spectacular Saint Pierre (Saint Peter Cathedral), which was built in 1162 on the remains of an ancient Roman basilica, is one of the greatest cathedrals in the area. Visits to the cathedral are free.
Bourges Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges)
Architectural style: Gothic
The French department of Cher’s capital, Bourges, is situated right in the center of the hexagon. The region has been inhabited for well over 1500 years, and Bourges’ top attractions now include a stunning palace from the fifteenth century and a number of excellent manicured gardens.
Given that it was finished in under 35 years, Bourges Cathedral stands out among cathedrals from the 12th century. The Roman Catholic cathedral, built on the remains of a Gallo-Roman town’s town walls, has been recognized by UNESCO as a world historic site since the 1990s.
Don’t miss – a 15th-century astronomical clock that displays the zodiac signs.
Narbonne Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur de Narbonne)
Architectural style: Gothic
Roman settlers originally established Narbonne as a harbor city. Throughout what is now France, ports were utilized to convey a wide variety of commodities during the Classical Era, from ceramics to olive oil.
Today, the Aude has accumulated sand and silt to the point that the city is now located around 15 kilometres from the sea. Construction on the Narbonne Cathedral, which is unquestionably the highlight of this French city, started in the 13th century.
However, the cathedral was never finished due to shifting power dynamics, a lack of funding, and a reluctance to tear down the now-gone medieval walls. The choir is all that remains of the Cathedral today, yet it’s still amazing!
Final thoughts on cathedrals in France
Many of most majestic cathedrals in France, are located in towns along its equally stunning rivers and canals that crisscross its various regions. When you take a luxury hotel barge vacation, enjoy a river cruise, or navigate yourself on a self-drive hire boat tour, you may see these stunning cathedrals for yourself in France.
