The Cathedral of Tours, a 400-year construction marvel

The Cathedral of Tours, built over 400 years, resembles Notre-Dame de Paris in appearance, and in my opinion, is even more exquisite than its Parisian counterpart. **Cathedral of Tours** (Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours) is a landmark religious building in Tours, France, and an outstanding representative of Gothic architecture. **Construction Period**: Begun in the late 12th century (around 1170) and completed in the early 16th century (1547), the construction spanned nearly 400 years, covering multiple developmental stages of Gothic art. **Name Origin**: Named after **Saint Gatien**, the third bishop of Tours, who was an early spreader of Christianity in the Tours region. **Status**: The central cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tours, historically closely linked to the French monarchy (Tours was an important city in medieval France). **West Facade**: Features typical Flamboyant Gothic decorations, adorned with intricate stone carvings and pointed arches. **Twin Towers**: The north tower stands at 68 meters, and the south tower at 69 meters, with their spires added during the Renaissance period. **Rose Window**: The 13th-century stained glass windows are particularly famous, especially the "Window of the Kings" on the north side (depicting biblical monarchs). - **Nave and Choir**: With vaults reaching 29 meters high, showcasing the verticality of Gothic style. - **Stained Glass**: Some glass dates back to the 13th century, making it among the oldest stained glass in France. - **Organ**: A masterpiece from the Renaissance period, still in use today. The bell tower houses a 16th-century astronomical clock. The cathedral contains religious artifacts such as the reliquary of Saint Gatien. Writer Victor Hugo once praised its stained glass as "sparkling like gemstones." During the Hundred Years' War, Joan of Arc passed through Tours and may have visited this cathedral. Its twin-tower design is often compared to Notre-Dame de Paris, but the Flamboyant Gothic details of the Cathedral of Tours are more intricate.