Blois Cathedral

Blois, France

Blois Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Louis de Blois) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, and a national monument of France, in Blois. It is the seat of the Bishopric of Blois, established in 1697.

This was previously the collegiate church of Saint-Solenne, the original building of which dated from the 12th century. Apart from some traces in the crypt nothing survives of this. The façade and the bell tower were built in 1544. The nave was destroyed by a hurricane in 1678, and the reconstruction in Gothic style took place between 1680 and 1700 under the architect Arnoult-Séraphin Poictevin (d. 1720). The Lady Chapel by the architect Jules Potier de la Morandière was added in about 1860.

To celebrate the church's elevation to a cathedral in 1697, Louis XIV presented the organ loft in 1704. The new see thereupon took the dedication to Saint Louis.

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Address

Pour Saint-Louis, Blois, France
See all sites in Blois

Details

Founded: 1697
Category: Religious sites in France

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Sasha (2 years ago)
Simple and yet so beautiful, especially the painted windows. I love the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. I also liked the music in the church, very calming
Chrissi H (3 years ago)
Stunning yet „simple“ cathedral (not much fold or shiny things). Beautiful windows and a very peaceful atmosphere.
Michelle Mitton (3 years ago)
A really beautiful spot in town overlooking the square. The gargoyles are fun and the bells are beautiful.
Yaron Bental (4 years ago)
Beautiful view quite
royal panda (5 years ago)
The only way i can describe this place is amazing and absolutely breathtaking it looks already massive on the outside and then tou go in and its a great scale to show how small a person actually is.
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Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

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