Blog graphic: 13 best cathedrals to visit in France

With more than 100 cathedrals dominating its cityscapes, France certainly has plenty to offer fans of fine architecture and art. Two of its greatest – Notre Dame in Paris and Notre Dame in Nantes – are currently closed after extensive fire damage, but there are still dozens of other stunning French cathedrals to visit. To provide you with some inspiration, we’ve compiled a baker’s dozen of the best cathedrals in France. 

Best for size – Amiens Cathedral

Amiens CathedralGothic cathedrals in France never scrimp on size, but when it comes to space, Amiens Cathedral in Picardy beats them all. This UNESCO world heritage site is large enough to fit two Paris Notre Dames inside. This giant French gothic cathedral also notches up a record for speed of construction. It took just 68 years to build, a real feat considering the era (early 13th century) and that some other cathedrals of France took centuries. 

Don’t miss – the magnificent façade that comes alive with colour and light at Christmas.

While you’re there – discover Amiens and the Hortillonages, a network of canals in Picardy as you cruise the region on a luxury hotel barge. 

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Best for colour – Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg CathedralBuilt in sandstone, the Gothic masterpiece glows pink or orange depending on the time of day. It’s the second most visited cathedral in France after Notre Dame in Paris and certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the greatest in the country. Goethe described it as having “a thousand harmonizing details” that include magnificent stained glass windows and a 142-metre tall tower.

Don’t miss – the organ coated in gold leaf at this beautiful cathedral.

While you’re there – explore Alsace to discover for yourself everything on offer in the region. 

Cruise Alsace

Best for unity in design – Bourges Cathedral

Bourges CathedralDedicated to Saint Etienne, this Gothic masterpiece west of the Loire river was built in the 12th century and 13th century and offers exceptional harmony in both its design and proportions. Not for nothing does it have UNESCO status like many cathedrals in France. But unlike the others, Bourges has a ‘deaf tower’, the nickname given to the south tower that has no bells.

Don’t miss – the astronomical clock with the signs of the zodiac, created in the 15th century.

While you’re there – explore the beautiful marshes and gardens near the city

Find a Loire river cruise

Best in brick – Albi Cathedral

Albi CathedralMost French cathedrals are built in stone, but Albi is one of the exceptions as it towers over its commune on the Tarn river. Ranked among the largest brick buildings in the world, this cathedral started life as a fortress before its conversion in the late 13th century. While the southern Gothic style makes for an austere exterior, inside is a different story. 18,500 square metres of frescos and painted walls await the visitor in possibly one of the great interiors in France. 

Don’t miss – the punishments for the seven deadly sins as depicted in the 15th century Last Judgement fresco under the organ.

While you’re there – discover the delights of one of the most picturesque waterways in France, the Canal du Midi. 

Cruise the Canal du Midi

Best for kings and queens – Basilica of Saint Denis

Basilica of Saint Denis

Some cathedrals in France witness royal christenings, marriages and coronations, and others provide the final resting place for kings and queens. The crypt at this cathedral in the heart of Paris houses the remains of more than 70 monarchs including Henry II and Louis XII, and nobility such as Catherine de Medici. 

Don’t miss – the fine funerary sculpture from the 12th to 16th centuries that adorns the tombs.

While you’re there – see other iconic Parisian sights from the Seine. 

Explore Paris on our cruises through Champagne 

Best for Monet – Rouen Cathedral 

Rouen Cathedral

Immortalised by Claude Monet who painted no less than 30 pictures of its façade, Rouen Cathedral ranks among the most famous in France. Rebuilt in the 13th century after a devastating fire, cathedral Rouen has the highest spire in the country (151m tall). Inside, you’ll find magnificent stained glass and Richard the Lionheart’s heart. 

Don’t miss – the summer light show when Monet’s paintings are projected onto the cathedral.

While you’re there – discover Monet’s garden at Giverny en route to Rouen as you cruise the Seine on a river cruise. 

Discover cruises through Paris

Best for tapestries – Bayeux Cathedral

Bayeux CathedralCathedrals in France frequently dwarf their surroundings and Bayeux in Normandy is one of the best examples. As large as Notre Dame in Paris, Bayeux has Romanesque origins although its façade is Gothic. Consecrated in 1077, the cathedral is thought to have housed the world-famous Bayeux tapestries. Depicting William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, the 70-metre cloth would have encircled the nave.  

Don’t miss – the colourful frescos showing the life of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

While you’re theretake a guided tour of Bayeux old quarter and the cathedral. 

Best original – Chartres Cathedral

Chartres CathedralFew French cathedrals escaped bomb damage during the Second World War, but Chartres is one of the very few to have survived completely intact. A fine example of original Gothic architecture and art, cathedral Chartres houses some exceptional stained-glass windows and the revered Sancta Camisia, the veil of the Virgin. 

Don’t miss – the Blue Virgin stained glass window made with Chartres bleu glass tinted with cobalt oxide.

While you’re there – walk part of the pilgrims’ route to Chartres from Notre Dame in Paris. 

Read more about pilgrimage routes through France

Best for cupola – Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Saint Nicholas CathedralNice is home to one of the most unusual cathedrals in France. The Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is the largest orthodox church outside Russia and an unusual sight on the French Riviera. Built for the Russian community on the Côte d’Azur and funded by Tsar Nicholas II, this cathedral has six cupolas, mostly domed in green tiles and topped with crosses. Inside, gold and blue frescos adorn the walls. 

Don’t miss – the bell dome tower entirely coated in gold leaf.

While you’re there – sample some of the best Provençal dishes.

Explore Provence by hotel barge 

Best for Champagne – Reims Cathedral

Reims CathedralBuilt in the 13th century, Cathédrale Notre Dame de Reims was traditionally the coronation site for French monarchs. Not less than 33 received their crown in ‘Coronation City’, symbolising the union of Church and State. As well as a magnificent façade, the cathedral also houses one of the finest rose windows in France. 

Don’t miss – the stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall at the east end of the cathedral.

While you’re there – discover the other delights of Reims including, of course, a glass of bubbly!  

Take an excursion to Reims from your hotel barge cruise

Best for towers – Laon Cathedral

Laon CathedralJust north of Reims lies the magnificent cathedral at Laon. Construction on the Gothic structure started just eight years after Notre Dame in Paris and it later became something of a trendsetter for cathedrals in France serving as a model for both Chartres and Reims. Its architects originally planned seven towers, although only five were finally built. Inside, four storeys of colonnades rise up to the roof and four rose windows mark the cardinal points. 

Don’t miss – the 16 life-size oxen on the 2 western towers commemorating the part the beasts of burden played in transporting the stone. 

While you’re there – explore the rest of the Champagne region on board a luxury hotel barge

Best for views – Marseille Cathedral 

Marseille CathedralPerched on the highest point in the city, Notre Dame de la Garde offers commanding views of the Mediterranean port. Built in the Neo-Byzantine style, this 19th century cathedral with its striped towers and domes wouldn’t look out of place in the Middle East. Except for its nod to Christianity in the huge gold-plated bronze statue of the Madonna and Child on top of the main tower. 

Don’t miss – the gold mosaics lining the interiors of the domes.

While you’re there – enjoy that quintessential French aperitif, Noilly Prat vermouth in its home town of Marseille. 

Sip your way through our guide to vermouth

Best for unusual shape – Lyon Cathedral 

Lyon CathedralNotre Dame de Fourvière, named after the eponymous hill in Lyon, ranks among the youngest cathedrals in France. Built just a century and a half ago in 1872, the cathedral is now the symbol of the city, and famous for its unusual shape. Its stumpy aspect with a tower on each of its four corners means locals call it “the upside-down elephant”. Inside, a series of beautiful mosaics depict the life of the Virgin Mary. 

Don’t miss – the 3-metre bronze statue of Pope John Paul II outside the main entrance commemorating his visit to Lyon in 1986.

While you’re there – find some love for Lyon, a city packed with pleasant, beautiful and delicious surprises. 

Fall in love with southern Burgundy from the luxury of a hotel barge

Visit the best cathedrals in France for yourself 

Many of the most magnificent French cathedrals lie in cities along the country’s equally magnificent rivers and canals sprawling the regions of France. Discover these beautiful churches in France for yourself when you take a luxury hotel barge holiday, enjoy a river cruise or steer yourself on a self-drive hire boat trip. 

Find out more about itineraries, what you’ll see on them and types of boats, and then book your trip to admire cathedrals in France in 2021. 

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With more than 100 cathedrals dominating its cityscapes, France certainly has plenty to offer fans of fine architecture and art. Two of its greatest – Notre Dame in Paris and Notre Dame in Nantes – are currently closed after extensive fire damage, but there are still dozens of other stunning French cathedrals to visit. To provide you with some inspiration, we’ve compiled a baker’s dozen of the best cathedrals in France.