Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile d'Albi

Albi

Commissioned by Bishop Bernard de Castanet in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade to reassert, in stone — or rather brick — the full power of the Roman Church over a Languedoc still marked by Cathar heresy, this fortress-cathedral became the largest brick cathedral in the world. Its western wall bears one of the largest medieval Last Judgment frescoes ever painted, 270 m² in which the elect and the damned, each wearing around their neck the book of their deeds, are arranged on either side of Christ the judge — a scene partly destroyed as early as 1693 when a doorway was cut straight through the middle of the composition.

Getting there : Free access, paid entry to the treasury chapel

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound