ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL

Saint-Etienne's cathedral is a Unesco World Heritage Site. This large and very luminous vessel of 124 m length, 40.80 m width and 37.15 m under vault is the widest and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in France. Although it was consecrated in 1324, its construction was spread out from the end of the 12th to the 16th century. It has been the object of preservation campaigns for several years to fight against the ravages of pollution on the sculptures. One of the most original characteristics of the cathedral is that it has five portals of different sizes decorated with sculptures depicting the great themes of the Old and New Testaments. From the gardens of the town hall, you can admire the pyramidal chevet with its double-flight buttresses. To be seen, the astonishing copper meridian of Canon Goumet with the three eyelets pierced in the windows that allow the sun's rays to fall on it at noon, the set of stained glass windows from the 12th to the 17th century - the "Grand Housteau" window offered by Duke Jean de Berry and the Annunciation of the chapel of Jacques Cœur. The lower church houses the partial recumbent of the Duke of Berry, a small gallery, a vestige of an 11th century sanctuary with its libertine motifs, and the large statues that once decorated the façade. The case of the great organ dates from the second half of the 17th century^{, the} astronomical clock decorated with the beginning of the 15th century. The north tower, known as the "Butter Tower", reaches 65 meters high. Concerts are held regularly.