Artistic and Architectural France Cathedral Tour

Arrive at Charles de Gaulle International Airport and independent transfers to our hotel. For the next three nights, experience the Old World elegance of the Victoria Palace Hotel located in the heart of Paris. The afternoon is free to relax after our flight, perhaps replenishing ourselves with a coffee in one of the many cafés nearby. Once rested, enjoy our welcome dinner in an elegant local restaurant. (D)

Our exploration of the sanctuaries of France begins with the fascinating Priory of Saint-Martin-des-Champs, a treasure of medieval architecture. This imposing Romanesque structure was discovered to be built over a chapel dating to the 8th-century Merovingian dynasty, revealing the site’s long history as a place of worship. Next, we head to the Musée National du Moyen-Âge de Cluny, housing an important collection of medieval artifacts, including tapestries, sculptures, manuscripts, and stained glass. This complex provides a unique glimpse into the civic architecture of medieval Paris, as it combines both Gothic and Renaissance elements.

The afternoon will be spent walking through the historic section of Paris, with UNESCO World Heritage status, where we see the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, a masterpiece of French Gothic style. Built on a site that has been occupied since Roman times, this immense construction became a meeting place for the craftsmen’s guilds and a place of education renowned throughout Europe. Note: The cathedral has been closed to the public since its damage in the fire on April 15, 2019. It is scheduled to reopen in December 2024. In the evening, we are free to savor la cuisine française on our own. (B/L)

Today begins with a visit to the inspiring Basilique Saint-Denis, the purported birthplace of Gothic architecture. The cathedral that once stood here, built circa 1143, was the first example of the ‘new style’ in Europe but was massively damaged during the French Revolution. Restoration work conducted in the 19th century has exposed the authentic Gothic style of the choir and west front. 

Next, we visit Sainte-Chappelle. Consecrated in 1248, this aptly named ‘Holy Chapel’ was built to house Louis the IX’s collection of relics of Christ and boasts a colorful interior and impressive stained glass that brings the immensity of the heavens to earth. Move on to the intriguing Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Built on the outskirts of medieval Paris, this site once served as the burial place of Merovingian kings. After its foundation in the 6th century, this Benedictine abbey went on to become one of the richest in France. If available, enjoy a private tour of the restorative work being done by the American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés, our donation project. (B/L/D)

This morning we venture south of Paris, to Chartres. This picturesque town marks the point at which the Eure River divides into three branches, effectively speckling the town with bridges. We spend the day exploring the impressive Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, with UNESCO World Heritage designation. The cathedral is the first example of a ‘classic’ cathedral and is the high point of Gothic architecture in the region. The majority of the original stained glass windows are still intact, and there have been only minor changes in the architecture since the early 13th century when it was completed. Many features that first appeared in the Chartres Cathedral were later developed to become hallmarks of the High Gothic style.   Long on the pilgrimage route, it is venerated for its famous relic, the Sancta Camisa, said to be the tunic worn by the Virgin Mary at Christ’s birth. Once we have finished our explorations for the day, we overnight at the Le Grand Monarque Hotel and Spa for one night. Dinner tonight is on our own. (B/L)

Our drive from Chartres takes us to Bourges, a Royal City since the year 1100, and home to the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges. Completed in the 13th century, and once located in the northeastern corner of the Gallo-Roman walled city, the location of this sanctuary has been a place of Christian worship since the 4th century.   Exemplifying a supreme form of Gothic art, this architectural masterpiece demonstrates the power of Christianity in medieval France. Supported by flying buttresses, the western façade is the largest of all Gothic edifices in France. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, this structure is an important example in the evolution of Gothic architecture. After lunch, move on to Autun. 

The Romanesque Cathédrale Saint-Lazare d’Autun was constructed in the 12th century in response to the large number of pilgrims passing through on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

We continue to Vézelay where we overnight at the Hotel de la Poste et Lion d’Or for one night. (B/L/D)

Rising on a rock from a deep valley, the Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay, founded in 864, is a masterpiece of Romanesque art and architecture. Both this abbey church and the hill upon which it stands were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. 

Gaining fame for housing relics of Mary Magdalene, this site remains an important place of pilgrimage despite the exposure of its holy artifacts as fakes. Unlike its contemporaries, the subject of Vézelay’s tympanum, a decorative structure above the entrance, is the Pentecostal Mission of the Apostles, which serves as a spiritual defense of the Crusades and is a prime example of politics meeting religion in architecture. 

Continue to Montbard to visit the Abbaye de Fontaney, one of the oldest and most complete Cistercian abbeys in Europe. This Romanesque structure was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1981. In the afternoon, we move on to Troyes, a charming medieval town that overlooks the picturesque River Seine, where we settle into the Hotel Mercure for one night. (B/L)

Located along the Seine, Troyes is home to the multifaceted Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Troyes. This complex has known many constructions but work on its Gothic incarnation began in 1208 and continued into the 17th century. The cathedral is particularly well known for its striking stained glass dating from the 13th to the 19th centuries. 

Lunch and the afternoon are on our own to explore Troyes’ lovely medieval old town featuring narrow, cobbled streets lined with colorful, half-timbered houses, mostly dating to the 16th century. 

Afterwards, we transfer to Reims, where we overnight for two nights. (B/L)

A textile town in medieval times, Reims’ wine production took over in the 15th century as the industry of choice and has remained a tradition; the town is currently home to many top champagne houses. The medieval roots of the city are far from lost, however, as the overwhelming Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims provides imposing evidence. 

This cathedral, begun in 1211, was designed for royal coronations, which meant that no expense was spared in its decoration. Its ornate façade is a reflection of the intersection of religion, art, and power. Although it was built in stages between the 13th and the 15th centuries, the structure has a unity of style that represents the height of the mature French Gothic style and has UNESCO World Heritage status. 

A short distance away, at the south end of town, is the largest Romanesque church in Northern France, the Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims. Founded in the 11th century, this building was constructed over the burial site of St. Remi, renowned for baptizing the King of the Franks, Clovis I, an act which led to the conversion of the entire Frankish people. (B/L/D)

We begin today in nearby Laon. Once a royal city, the surrounding woodlands were favored by kings for their superior hunting grounds. Here, we view the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon, built during the 12th and 13th centuries. It is one of the most important and stylistically unified examples of early Gothic architecture. Known for its imposing towers, the pointed arches in the luminous white interior show the way up to Heaven.

Next, we continue to Amiens to begin our explorations of the compelling Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Erected between 1220 and 1270, this is the largest of all Gothic cathedrals and is the tallest religious building in France. Its western portals are famous for their elaborate sculptures, creations which have influenced church sculpture throughout Europe. During the 1990s, a laser cleaning process revealed that the western façade was originally painted with vibrant colors. Fortunately, lighting techniques have been developed to project these colors with precision directly on the façade, recreating in a stunning display the edifices on churchgoers of the 13th century. We will have the option of viewing this display later this evening.

 Overnight for one night at the Mercure Amiens Cathedrale Hotel. (B/L/D)

Travel west to Beauvais, home to the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais. Begun in 1225, this ambitious construction features the highest vault in Gothic architecture. Due to many structural complications, work on the cathedral continued sporadically well into the 16th century, but ultimately the structure was left in its current, unfinished state. 

Next, we move to Rouen, an ancient capital of the Duchy of Normandy founded on a Roman settlement. Despite modernization, Rouen has maintained many medieval treasures in its ‘old’ district including half-timbered buildings and a clock (set in a Renaissance arch). 

The glorious Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen springs up from 12th-century foundations, revealing soaring Gothic arches, intricate Flamboyant carving, and two towers that flank the façade. A short distance away, we view the Église Saint Maclou, considered one of the best examples of Flamboyant Gothic architecture in France; its construction began sometime after 1432 during the transition from Romanesque to Gothic styles. 

Nearby we find the Abbaye Saint Ouen de Rouen, which has both Merovingian and Carolingian origins. Construction of the current structure began in 1318, work was slowed, however, by the Hundred Years War. The abbey church’s slow evolution is highlighted by the western façade, which dates to the 19th century and reflects a Neo-Gothic style.

After our visit, we head back towards Paris and overnight near the airport for one night. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for our flights home. (B)