Sens Cathedral

About

Saint-Étienne de Sens Cathedral, from its full title Saint-Étienne de Sens Metropolitan and Primatial Cathedral, is the Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Sens, located in the commune of Sens, in the natural region of Sennais and the department of Yonne in the region Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Saint Stephen is considered the first martyr: his worship is associated with Sens, with those of Saint John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one of the first churches of Gothic architecture of Christendom with St.Denis Basilica, then abbey church.

Started around 1130-1135, its nave and choir were consecrated in 1164, and its façade was completed at the end of the 12th century. Its southern tower, the bell tower, was completed much later (1532–1534). The transept, dating from the years 1490–1515, is one of the finest masterpieces of the flamboyant Gothic.

The energy and means deployed to build the cathedral are due to the importance of both the Archdiocese of Sens (which included Paris in its territory) and the bailiwick of Sens (which was the oldest and most extensive in France). The cathedral is located in the heart of the historic city centre...