Bourges Cathedral, listed as a World Heritage Site for 30 years

The city of Bourges will therefore multiply unusual visits or events this year to celebrate this exceptional heritage. Two times thirty initiatives to interest much more than an audience of insiders. The cathedral of Bourges, whose construction began in 1195, escaped the worst in the 19th century when we had a curious idea of ​​the restoration of historic buildings: ” At the time, we restored according to the idea we had of Gothic “ explains Emmanuel Marot, project manager for the city of Bourges. ” Fortunately, we were less interventionist on the cathedral of Bourges at that time than on certain other buildings. We can still see some modifications on the buttresses, on the pinnacles, on the upper parts where there are some additions of flamboyant Gothic. We keep them because they are part of the history of the cathedral. The cathedral is built on a 12th century base. There have been other additions over time but that has not prevented it from appearing particularly harmonious for Unesco, authentic and showing uniqueness.”

The cathedral is estimated to attract around 500,000 visitors per year even if Notre Dame de Paris, Reims, Chartres, Amiens are often cited before Bourges. They better embody the idea that we had of Gothic until fifty years ago. Fortunately, we have been rediscovering St-Etienne cathedral for a few years: ” The cathedral was lucky enough to keep its 14th century stained glass windows “explains Valérie Richebracque, architect of the buildings of France. ” She is striking. The dimensions of the large nave are exceptional. People are amazed when they walk into the building.” And some even come by private plane to visit it : ” I ran into two gentlemen who were from Germany” continues Valérie Richebracque. ” There was a shoot. So I brought them in between takes. They knew the cathedral very well. “

A cathedral better known abroad than in France thanks to the work of an American researcher in the middle of the last century. She watches over Bourges for 800 years : ” She’s got a presence here in town ” assures this Berruyère. ” I go home regularly, I look at the stained glass windows, I go around. It’s the symbol of our city.”

And to celebrate its heritage, Bourges is offering a wide variety of tours this year: ” We focus on places that are usually closed to the public “explains Cécile Contassot, project manager city of art and history in Bourges:” Last week, we visited the Saint Guillaume undergrounds. On March 1, we can visit the courthouse. “ End of March, the film by Jean-Jacques Annaud “Notre-Dame is burning”, partly shot in Bourges, could shine a new spotlight on the city.