Saint-Etienne of Auxerre cathedral

Auxerre – The Cathedral

The Cathedral of Auxerre, or Cathedrale Saint-Etienne d’Auxerre in French, is a Catholic church dedicated to Saint Stephen situated in Burgundy, France. It was built on the location of a Romanesque cathedral dating back to the 11th century and was constructed during the 13th to 16th centuries. The cathedral’s crypt, which houses 11th century Carolingian frescoes, is situated beneath the structure. In addition to its notable frescoes, the cathedral is also renowned for its expansive stained glass windows. Since 1823, it has functioned as the seat of a diocese that is joined with the diocese of Sens Cathedral.

The cathedral is rather large, highlighted by the closeness of neighboring buildings and houses.

The main entrance houses two large, purple, doors:

Saint-Etienne of Auxerre cathedral entrance
Saint-Etienne of Auxerre cathedral entrance

On the other side of the entrance doors, opposite you will find this stained glass window

Stained glass window above Auxerre cathedral door
Stained glass window above Auxerre cathedral door
Details of the stained glass window above Auxerre cathedral door
Details of the stained glass window above Auxerre cathedral door

Aisles and Arches

The aisles are massive and austere.

Aisles of Auxerre cathedral
Aisles of Auxerre cathedral
Arches along the aisles of the Auxerre cathedral
Arches along the aisles of the Auxerre cathedral

The arches are impressive thanks to their many stained glass windows:

The arches and stained glass windows of the Auxerre cathedral
The arches and stained glass windows of the Auxerre cathedral
Along the aisles of the Auxerre cathedral
Along the aisles of the Auxerre cathedral

Nave

The nave of Auxerre cathedral
The nave of Auxerre cathedral
Seating area of the Auxerre cathedral
Seating area of the Auxerre cathedral

Choir

The choir is located at the east end:

Choir
Choir
The choir of Auxerre cathedral
The choir of Auxerre cathedral

The Auxerre cathedral organ was built in 19th century:

The organ of Auxerre cathedral
The organ of Auxerre cathedral

Chapels

As you would expect there are several chapels alongside the church, often not marked. Here they are:

ChapelChapelChapelChapelChapelTombChapelChapelChapel
Chapelle de notre-dame de vertusChapelle de notre-dame de vertus
ChapelChapel
ChapelChapel
ChapelChapel
ChapelChapel
Tomb of Ernest Deschamps in a chapel of the Auxerre cathedralTomb of Ernest Deschamps in a chapel of the Auxerre cathedral
ChapelChapel
ChapelChapel
ChapelChapel

There is one more chapel at the entrance:

Entrance chapel of the Auxerre cathedral
Entrance chapel of the Auxerre cathedral

The “special” thing about this one, is the statue you see on the right, of a praying woman. That is Joan of Arc, who passed by the cathedral one day (27-Feb-1429) and prayed:

Joan of Arc prayed here sign in the Auxerre cathedral
Joan of Arc prayed here sign in the Auxerre cathedral

Conclusion

The most interesting part of this cathedral are the stained glass windows. There are many of them, and in original state.

The architecture was ahead of its time when it was built , but the church itself has faded a bit. You can spend a nice hour looking inside it.

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