We are in front of a beautiful cathedral built between the 13th and 16th century. It’s actually the fouth one because there were here three former churches. They were all destroyed by barbar invasions or wars and fires. But we have still some romanesc elements outside like on each side those thick butresses.
So, this cathedral is most of it built in gothic style, and especially in high and flamboyant gothic as you can see. The ornementation is very rich and numerous.
We have three different parts: two vertical lines with the towers and in the middle a lower part. They represent the central nave and the side aisles.
Verticality is the most important thing in this building, it symbolises the elevation of the human-being in direction of the Kingdom of God. It’s the link between Heaven and Earth, in other words between God and Humans.
Those four huge pinnacles curved with niches and the very high towers give us this impression of elevation. And even the three fantasy gables above the three portals strenghen this idea. There are like arrows pointed towards the sky.
The cathedral is very well decorated in flamboyant gothic style with roses, curves and reversed curves, they are like flammes and can remind us the art of illumination or the lacework.
I said this is built in gothic style but actually not the whole cathedral. You can notice that the both towers are toped with a cupola and a lantern, and decorated with a Renaissance style. You can see geminate openings and balustrades.
You have to know that in the 15th century, the city of Tours and its area was very rich and powerful, had an important role in the 1st Renaissance. Because the kings of France Charles 8, Louis12, and a bit later Francis 1st used to stay in their respective castles of the Loire valley: Amboise, Blois, Chambord. They are not so far from Tours and it influenced the architecture of the whole region.
Let’s go closer to see some details.
There is a statue of wood(a copy of the 19th) on the central pillar of the main portal, which represents St Gatien. Actually we don’t know a lot things about him just that he was the first bishop of Tours. And since the 14th century, the cathedral is called Cathedral St Gatien of Tours to honour him.
Then in the archivolt, you can see rows of mini canopies which protect statues. Those canopies remind us the architecture of the cathedral: pinnacles, crockets...
You can also notice that there are three portals. The tympanums are not carved as usuall but decorated with stained glass windows. Indeed the light is very important in this cathedral. We have to go inside to see how well it is lit and breathtaking J
Bien insister sur le fait que les tympans sont ajourés, c’est très rare !!!!
