Tours Cathedral

Tours Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of Saint Gatianus of Tours (French: Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours), is a significant Roman Catholic cathedral located in Tours, France. It serves as the seat of the Archbishops of Tours and is the metropolitan cathedral of the Tours ecclesiastical province. The cathedral's construction history is extensive, spanning from 1170 to 1547, which has resulted in a rich tapestry of architectural styles, reflecting its long and complex building process.

History and Construction

The site of Tours Cathedral has hosted religious structures since the 4th century. The current cathedral's construction began in earnest around 1170, but was marked by numerous interruptions, including fires and the Hundred Years' War. This prolonged period of building led to a fusion of architectural elements, making it a complex example of French religious architecture from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The choir and transept were rebuilt starting around 1220, with financial aid from King Louis IX. The completion of the nave and towers occurred in the 15th and early 16th centuries, with notable contributions from architects like Jean de Dammartin, Jean Papin, and Jean Durand, and financial backing from Charles VII and the Duke of Brittany Jean V. The two impressive towers, standing at 69 and 70 meters, were finished in 1534 and 1547 respectively, and feature distinct French Renaissance crowns.

Architectural Features

The cathedral's exterior presents a varied architectural landscape. The west front displays a combination of Romanesque lower walls and central block, contrasted with more elaborate Flamboyant Gothic decoration on the upper facade and buttresses. The sides of the cathedral are reinforced by massive flying buttresses. The chevet, or east end, is noted for its unique design among European Gothic cathedrals, with no attached structures. The towers are particularly ornate, covered in elaborate tracery and decoration in the Flamboyant style, with their upper sections showcasing early French Renaissance architecture.

Internally, the nave features a traditional three-level design with a gallery, triforium, and clerestory. The choir retains its original fifteen 13th-century stained glass windows, which are celebrated for their artistic and technical innovations. Artists working on the cathedral pioneered a new approach to stained glass design, incorporating clear or lightly colored glass around iconographic scenes to enhance interior light. Furthermore, the development and use of silver stain allowed for more expressive and realistic figural representations.

Notable Art and Artifacts

Among the notable interior features is the monumental tomb of the two children of King Charles VIII of France and Anne of Brittany, created in 1506 by Guillaume Regnault. Originally located elsewhere, it was moved to the cathedral after the French Revolution. The tomb, made of Carrara marble, is executed in an Italian style but retains echoes of the 15th-century French medieval tradition.

Historical Significance and Later History

The cathedral underwent significant changes during the French Revolution, with statues on the portal being damaged by Jacobins. However, it was spared complete destruction and served as a Temple of Reason. Major restoration projects have taken place in modern times, including work on the upper windows, the organ, and the north transept, with new windows dedicated to Saint Martin added and a new main altar consecrated in 2018. Tours Cathedral was classified as a historic monument in 1862 and is owned by the French State, with the Catholic Church holding exclusive rights of use. The cathedral also holds the distinction of being a burial site for royalty, including Archibald Douglas, 4th Earl of Douglas.