Poitiers - Cathedral

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade, seen here, end of the 13th century. The massive flanking towers were added to the structure about two centuries later.

The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible - and the western facade seems influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France (eg Laon, Sens, Senlis, Paris..).