Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Toulouse

Toulouse

Built on the site of a 3rd-century chapel dedicated to Saint Saturnin, the cathedral of Saint-Étienne has the peculiarity, unique in France, of being formed of two distinct churches never joined on a single axis: a Southern Gothic nave of the early 13th century and a Gothic choir begun around 1272 under Bishop Bertrand de L'Isle, twice as wide as the nave. The original plan was to demolish the old nave and extend the Gothic choir along the full length, but work stopped, leaving this spectacular misalignment still visible today. An architectural compromise was found around 1911 to create a transition between the two parts. The porch-tower houses a carillon of 17 bells, and the building preserves 14th-century stained glass.

Getting there : Listed as a monument historique in 1862; free admission, place Saint-Étienne, city centre of Toulouse

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

Ambient sound