Bourges was the first of five Gothic cathedrals on the WH list, that we visited on our trip to Northern France in August/September 2015. The others were Chartres, Reims, Amiens, and Paris. Definitely an overrepresented category. But each of them has its special characteristics and it is difficult to decide which is the best and most impressive.

The special architectural feature in Bourges is the floor plan without a transept. The five naves extend without interruption along the entire length of the Cathedral. The effect is a very harmonious and uniform interior, the view along the nave seems to be endless. The homogeneity of the architecture also applies to the exterior. In the side view, the pyramid-like construction with the different heights of the naves is clearly visible. The minus is the west façade, the face of a cathedral. The massive and chunky towers do not really fit to the fine sculptures of the portals. The façade cannot compete in elegance and harmony with other Gothic cathedrals. Moreover, the façade is poorly visible, there is no large square in front of the west portal, the surrounding buildings are very close. The photo is taken from the best possible angle, but I had to stand with my back to the wall.

We visited Bourges on a Sunday morning, when the crypt and the tower are closed. However, I don't think we missed a lot, the town was not so impressive that the view from above seemed very tempting. And there are 400 steps to climb.

All in all, the Bourges Cathedral is an impressive building, especially the atmospheric interior, but I would not rank it among the top three Gothic cathedrals.