Beauvais<Oise<Picardy: a land of cathedrals
No less than 6 cathedrals await discover in Beauvais, in Oise and in the Picardy region!
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Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, the cathedrals of Picardy reflect the economic and demographic development of this land strategically located between Paris and Flanders, as well as the skills and practices of their builders.
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Saint Peter's Cathedral in Beauvais(less than 10 minutes from the Beauvais Airport) stands out for its unique proportions. Admire its vertiginous chancel, the highest in the world (48.5 metres), built in the style of a glass cage. Even uncompleted, the edifice is full of marvels, such as the two immense rose windows of the transept, the chancel's stained glass windows, the 16th-century sculpted altarpiece, and the spectacular chiming clock dating from 1302, the oldest of its kind still functioning. Of course, there's also the fabulous astronomical clock designed by Lucien Vérité, which wonderfully illustrates the various clock-making techniques of the 19th century.
Information at the Beauvais Tourist Office on +33 (0)3 44 15 30 30 |
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©Samuel Dhot |
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Notre Dame Cathedral of Senlis(less than 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport) is an important example of the evolving Gothic style. The edifice is considered one of the smallest cathedrals in France. Construction began around 1153 and continued until the late 16th century. Flamboyant Gothic: the extraordinary, 12th-century spire rising some 78 metres.
Information at the Senlis Tourist Office on +33 (0)3 44 53 06 40 |
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©AS Flament |
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The Cathedral of Amiens (less than 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport) illustrates great architectural harmony. Built between 1220 and 1288, this is one of the largest Gothic edifices ever constructed: 145 metres long and 45 metres high, for a volume of 200,000 m3. Since the restoration of its western facade, the cathedral provides the best example of the polychromy of Gothic portals. This revelation gave birth to the "Colourful Cathedral of Amiens" spectacle, which restores the portals' original medieval colours with the magic of lights.
Information at the Amiens Tourist Office on +33 (0)3 22 71 60 50 |
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©Cyril Struy |
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Notre Dame Cathedral in Noyon(over 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport) was used for the coronation of both Charlemagne (768 AD) and Hugh Capet (987 AD). This cathedral marks the birth of Gothic architecture. Indeed, it is the oldest Gothic cathedral in all of northern France. A remarkable canonical and episcopal architectural grouping.
Information at the Noyon Tourist Office on +33 (0)3 44 44 21 88 |
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©Cap Région Editions |
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The Cathedral of Laon (over 2 hours from the Beauvais Airport) is a masterpiece of early Gothic art. Built in 1155, it rises 75 metres, surrounded by five pillars which lend the edifice its unique form. It was built at the same time as Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris.
Information at the Laon Tourist Office on +33 (0)3 23 20 28 62 |
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©Sam Bellet |
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Saint Gervais and Saint Protais Cathedral in Soissons (over 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport) was built from the 12th to the 14th centuries. This cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of early Gothic art in France. The edifice is home to marvellous treasures, including its ambulatory and galleries, its splendid stained-glass windows, and its southern semicircular transept. Visitors can also admire the painting by Rubens entitled Adoration of the Shepherds, a gift by the Franciscan.
Information at the Soissons Tourist Office on +33 (0)3 23 53 17 37 or by e-mail: officedetourisme@ville-soissons.fr |
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©CRT Ludovic Leleu |
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We also recommend...
- Château de Troissereux and its park, only 15 mins from the airport
- The Barge- and Boatmen Museum, 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport
- Memorial tourism
- Royal Senlis: 2,000 years of history and architecture
- Chantilly, princes' city and equine capital
- Compiègne, imperial and historic city
- Pierrefonds and its feudal castle
