Saint-Gatien Cathedral

Push open the doors of the cathédrale Saint-Gatien, a veritable open book on the religious architecture of the Loire Valley between the 13th and 16th centuries. You'll also discover the superb recumbent tomb of two royal children, as well as contemporary stained-glass windows.

A major architectural landmark

An open book on the evolution of religious architecture

Built on the remains of the Gallo-Roman city of Caesarodunum, the cathédrale Saint-Gatien stands at the heart of a city that was once one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in the West.

It was built over a period of almost 400 years, from the 13^th to the 16^th century. It is thus the perfect illustration of the evolution of architecture from the beginnings of flamboyant Gothic art to the Renaissance.

Visitors in front of Saint-Gatien Cathedral
Jean-Christophe Coutand

A brief history of the cathedral

Pleased to meet you, Gatien!

The cathedral takes its name from Saint Gatien, the first bishop of Tours, who was commissioned by the Pope to evangelize Touraine around 250 AD.

Saint Louis, a generous donor

Preceded by three other buildings, the present cathedral was built in 1236 thanks to the generosity of Saint Louis . The radiant choir dates from this period. A century later, the nave was begun. It was completed at the end of the 15^th century, after the Hundred Years' War, with a highly elaborate flamboyant Gothic western façade.

The towers were built in the first half of the 16^th century: the north tower in 1507, and the south tower between 1534 and 1547. These two dates finally marked the completion of the cathedral.

Two decades later, during the Wars of Religion, many of the statues in the portals were destroyed by Protestants. During the French Revolution, Saint-Gatien became a temple of Reason.

Portrait of Louis IX, known as Saint Louis
Hervé Lewandoski - Centre des monuments nationaux

The cathedral watches over its children

Continue your exploration! Have you noticed this magnificent tomb? A true masterpiece of the early French Renaissance, known as the Touraine Renaissance, sculpted around 1500, it houses the remains of two children of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany, Charles and Charles-Orland, who died very young.