Surprising Late Gothic Style: Orléans Cathedral

What a strange destiny for this cathedral in Orléans, France. It already existed in the IVth century and was almost entirely rebuilt in the XVIIth, XVIIIth and XIXth centuries.

Cathedral of Orléans, France, the West façade

The cornerstone of the cathedral, the last one, as we know it today, was laid in 1287. The romanesque towers and west façade were then kept and today a portal can still be seen at North. The works were interrupted during the Hundred Years’War until the siege of Orléans was lifted by Joan of Arc on May 8, 1429. The cathedral dis not suffer much though. But in 1535, Wars of Religion devastated the monument and in 1568 the pillars of the transepts were mined. In the explosion and fire that followed, the spire collapsed, jeopardizing the edifice.

West façade of Orléans cathedral – A rare mix of Troubadour style and baroque 

A new restoration of the cathedral begins with Henri IV and Marie de Médicis in 1601 and in 1623 the choir is completed. The façade then was much longer to rebuild. In 1767 only, the construction begins based on a project by Jacques-Jules Gabriel, the father of the architect who created the Place de la Concorde in Paris. It is continued by Trouard and then by François Pagot and inaugurated in 1829 for the 4th Centenary of the Liberation of Orléans by Joan of Arc.

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The 40 meters high and 53 meters wide façade offers fascinating and finely carved airy towers in the Troubadour  Style very much in favor during the reign of Charles X (1824-1830). The beautiful angles of the towers culminate at 88 meters.

The Towers of Orléans Cathedral

Orléans gothic cathedral appears with a particular touch of baroque. The fact of rebuilding in the Gothic style in the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries is so rare in France that it must be underlined.

Orléans cathedral

The result is amazing, namely on the façade and transepts where Louis XIV’s motto, “Nec Pluribus Impar,” can be read around the rose window along with classic decoration giving even more solemnity to this particular gothic construction. A new spire was built in 1858 and new stained glass window installed in 1859.

Gothic with a touch of classicism – Motto of Louis XIV around the rose

The historic center of Orléans suffered a lot in 1940 with the Germans, the cathedral was damaged but to a minor extend. Works are still underway to render the edifice its glorious splendour.

Joan of Arc at the siege of Orléans by Jules-Eugène Lenepveu, 1886-90

A magnificient view over the cathedral, equivalent in size to Notre-Dame in Paris, is when arriving from the street facing the West façade. And, of course, when in Orléans, ereryone has a thought for Joan of Arc and her heroical deed.