Considered one of the largest Catholic cathedrals in the classical Gothic style, Amiens Cathedral, also known as Notre-Dame d’Amiens Cathedral, is a true masterpiece of medieval architecture. This jewel of French heritage, located in the Hauts-de-France region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, is a must-see destination for history, art and culture enthusiasts.
History of the cathedral
Amiens Cathedral was built to replace an earlier church that burned down in 1218. The decision to build a new cathedral was taken quickly, and work began in 1220, at the instigation of the Bishop of Amiens, Évrard de Fouilloy. The aim was to create a place of worship worthy of the city and its faith, able to rival the other great cathedrals being built at the same time, such as Chartres and Reims. Work began on the west facade, with its three large portals and the Galerie des rois, followed by the nave and choir. The work was carried out with impressive speed for the time, with most of the structure completed in just 50 years, by 1270. Following completion of the main structure, additional work was carried out over the following centuries. These included the addition of the large rose window above the central portal in the 15th century, and the construction of the side chapels between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Like many other historic monuments, Amiens Cathedral has required restoration work over the centuries.
In the 19th century, the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, known for his work on Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, oversaw a major restoration of Amiens Cathedral, helping to preserve this masterpiece for future generations.
Amiens Cathedral has witnessed many historic events. For example, during the First World War, Amiens was occupied by the Germans and the cathedral was used as a storage facility. Fortunately, it survived the war without suffering major damage. Today, Amiens Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic buildings in France, and continues to inspire visitors with its grandeur and architectural beauty. 
Interior and exterior architecture
The exterior architecture of Amiens Cathedral is a remarkable example of classical Gothic art. The western façade is particularly impressive, with its three large, richly sculpted portals depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Above the portals, the Kings’ Gallery features 22 life-size statues representing the kings of Judea and Israel.
The façade is also adorned with over 700 other statues, offering a striking spectacle of detail and symbolism.
The western façade is also distinguished by its two imposing towers, 112 meters high, which frame the large central rose window. For those willing to climb the spiral staircases, these towers offer a breathtaking view of the city of Amiens. Inside, Amiens Cathedral is just as impressive.
The nave, 145 metres long and 70 metres wide at the transept, is one of the largest in Christendom. The slender vaults reach a height of 42.30 metres, creating a sense of immensity and elevation. The cathedral’s choir, surrounded by an ambulatory and radiating chapels, is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. The high altar, with its remarkable 15th-century altarpiece, is another highlight of the cathedral’s interior. The cathedral’s stained glass windows, although mostly from the 19th century, contribute to the cathedral’s inner beauty, filtering light to create a colorful, spiritual atmosphere. The original 13th-century windows can still be admired in the choir. 
The origin of polychromy
One of the most fascinating aspects of the cathedral is undoubtedly its polychromy. When it was built in the 13th century, the façade was painted in bright colors to highlight the details of the sculptures and tell biblical stories to a largely illiterate population. These colors were obtained from natural pigments such as lapis lazuli blue, cinnabar red and ochre yellow. Unfortunately, these colors gradually disappeared over the centuries, due to weathering and the natural aging of the pigments. Today, only the cathedral’s white stone remains visible, giving the impression that this is how Gothic cathedrals were meant to be.
Since 1999, Amiens Cathedral has been restored to its original colors thanks to a sound and light show called“Chroma“. Thanks to modern digital projection technology, the facade’s original colors are restored with astonishing precision, bringing the hundreds of statues and reliefs to life. The “Chroma” show offers visitors the chance to see the cathedral as it might have appeared in the Middle Ages, with its saints, angels and kings in brilliant color.
It’s a fascinating experience that adds a new dimension to a visit to the cathedral, revealing the richness and diversity of medieval polychromy. This night-time show is held several times a year, notably during the summer and Christmas seasons. It attracts thousands of visitors every year, who come to admire this Gothic masterpiece in a new, colorful light.
The facade of Amiens’ Notre-Dame Cathedral illuminated in full color.
Labyrinth and Astronomical Clock
The floor of the nave of Amiens Cathedral is decorated with an octagonal labyrinth, carved in stone with black copper inlays. During the Middle Ages, this labyrinth was used by pilgrims who couldn’t get to Jerusalem. During Holy Week, they would walk or kneel through the labyrinth as a sign of penitence. This practice, known as “pilgrimage by proxy”, was supposed to bring the same spiritual blessings as a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
The Amiens Cathedral labyrinth is one of the few cathedral labyrinths to have survived to the present day. It consists of a complex, winding path, symbolizing the difficult but ultimately rewarding journey of the faithful to salvation. The Astronomical Clock in Amiens Cathedral is a marvel of 19th-century engineering. This complex clock not only tells the time, but also the day of the week, the month, the year, the phases of the moon and the position of the planets in the zodiac. It is the work of Amiens clockmaker Antoine Alavoine, who built it between 1863 and 1868.
With its delicate sculptures, automata and paintings, the Horloge Astronomique is a true masterpiece of art and science. It illustrates the skill of 19th-century craftsmen and their fascination with complex mechanisms and astronomical precision. Although it no longer functions today, the clock remains a precious treasure of the cathedral, bearing witness to Amiens’ cultural and scientific history.
Amiens Cathedral labyrinth
In conclusion, Amiens Cathedral is much more than just a religious building. It is a testament to human genius, a complex and detailed work of art that continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world.
Location of the Cathedral
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