Exterior view

The Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Etienne, begun at the end of the twelfth century, can be considered the earliest example of the High Gothic style of the thirteenth century.

In this church there is no transept, so that both the interior and the exterior offer a completely uniform view. This impression is heightened by the use of steep flying buttresses, which, being very thin, do not conceal the main body of the building. The church has double side aisles, the outer side aisles having the usual height but the inner ones soar above them and have their own window story.

The photo shows a view from the southeast.

View the ground plan of Bourges Cathedral.