History

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History of the Bourges Cathedral crypt

A marvel of Gothic architecture, Bourges Cathedral contains a crypt with a fascinating history. Discover this "lower church", commonly known as the "crypt", where many treasures are on display!

A little history

A unique place

In 1195, Archbishop Henri de Sully decided to rebuild Bourges Cathedral in the Gothic style. The building replaced the modestly sized 11th-century Romanesque cathedral. And the archbishop wanted it to be sublime, comparable to Notre-Dame de Paris. The new choir was built beyond the old Gallo-Roman rampart.

To bridge the 6-meter difference in level, a vast basement had to be built. Did you guess? This is indeed the "lower church" (commonly known as the "crypt")!

Two galleries, with cross vaults falling on a series of cul-de-lampes, leads to a church: it follows the plan of the upper church, with a central room called the rotunda corresponding to the choir, and a double ambulatory comprising six pillars supporting the columns above them in the apse.

The rotunda contains the tombstones of the archbishops of Bourges who have died since the French Revolution.

At the risk of surprising you, this brightly-lit part of Bourges Cathedral is not a crypt!

But what exactly is a crypt? It's a buried and therefore dark place that can be used as a sepulchre. In the 12th century, the term was not appropriate, as no tomb was placed there. Instead, we should speak of a "low church".

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges, la crypte gothique côté nord

© Alain Lonchampt / Centre des monuments nationaux

The jewels of the crypt

A historical treasure: the entombment

In 1562, at the height of the Wars of Religion, Bourges was taken by the Protestants. They desecrated the cathedral and the tomb of Saint Guillaume. They also mutilated the rood screen, the transverse gallery between the nave and the choir, as well as the Entombment located in the rotunda.

This sculpture depicts an episode from the Passion of Christ. It was donated by a canon, Jacques Dubreuil, in the 1520's. At 1.85 meters high, it is impressive for the richness of its detail! Badly damaged, it was restored by order of the chapter.

Mise au tombeau (détail)

© Patrick Müller / Centre des monuments nationaux

Remains of the sainte-chapelle in Bourges: the recumbent statue and stained glass windows

Since 1757, the crypt has been home to another major monument: the recumbent statue of Duke Jean de Berry.

It was transferred to the crypt from the holy chapel of the ducal palace in Bourges at the request of Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld.

Created in the 15th century by Flemish artist Jean de Cambrai, it pays tribute to Jean de Berry, a key figure in the Hundred Years' War, son of Jean II le Bon and brother of Charles V le Sage. He was also a great patron of the arts and collector of precious books , including the famous Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.

The lower church also houses the stained glass windows of this holy chapel. Most of these magnificent windows depict apostles and prophets. Twenty major figures are depicted in architectural niches with damask backgrounds. The result is simply sumptuous! They are placed in 12 large windows opening directly onto the outside. As a result, the lower church of Bourges cathedral is superbly lit! During the Second World War, the stained glass windows were dismantled as a preventive measure. They were then placed in crates, where they remained until the 1980s.

Apôtre et prophète dans une architecture (détail)

© Alain Lonchampt / Centre des monuments nationaux

Restoration and refurbishment

In 1994, the crypt welcomed one last treasure: the remains of the cathedral's rood screen! Dating from the first half of the 13th century, it was destroyed in 1758 when the choir was remodeled. Some elements were reused for other works within the cathedral. Now recovered, they are on display in the lower church.

Having served as a workshop for stonemasons, the floor of the lower church features epures . These include the life-size outline of the rose that adorns the cathedral's west facade.

Eléments du jubé conservés dans la crypte

© Patrick Müller / Centre des monuments nationaux

A real crypt

A modern staircase leads from the lower church up into the Gallo-Roman rampart, into a subterranean structure - in other words, into a real crypt dug into the natural ground. This crypt, dating from the early 11th century, belongs to the former Romanesque church. It has a rectangular north-south plan. For a long time, the site was unknown: it was only when the chancel was refurbished in the mid-18th century that the old staircase and corridor were rediscovered.

The vaulted ceiling of the gallery's central bay features a central oculus which would be well suited to a relic cult. This oculus is currently blocked by fill under the paving of the Gothic choir. It is thought that there may have been a reliquary here, brought back according to tradition by Saint Ursin, the first bishop of Bourges, containing a few drops of the blood of Saint Stephen, the first deacon martyr and patron saint of the cathedral...

Its fascinating history and the treasures it houses make the crypt of Bourges cathedral an amazing place to visit. Why not come and see for yourself?

Crypte romane

© Crypte / Centre des monuments nationaux