Bourges - Cathédrale Saint-Étienne

The "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges" was erected as a replacement for an 11th-century structure. The construction started probably in the last quarter of the 12th century, around the same time when the builders and bricklayers started in Chartres. The choir of the cathedral was in use by 1214, the nave was finished 1255. The cathedral was consecrated in 1324.

The cathedral covers a surface of 5,900 m². The nave is 15 metres wide and 37 metres high, the inner aisle is 21.3 metres high. There are no transepts, but two aisles on either side forming a double ambulatory around the choir. The portals are breathtaking!

As I have uploaded already so many photos I took during earlier visits (just search "Bourges" on my stream), I will ad only a few more for now. some of them just small details like this one.

There are lots of graffiti inside and outside the cathedral. The French Wars of Religions and the Revolutions left many of them on the walls. This nice elephant is probably from the 19th century.