Orleans Cathedral

About

While the massive Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Croix dominates the city centre of Orléans today, its beginnings date back to 330 AD, with a humble early church that contained a sliver of the True Cross. Between wars and fire the city went through several churches over the centuries, with each iteration being larger and grander. The current church taking almost the entire 17th century to be built, with the towers not being completed until 1829. Today, visitors can enjoy what is essentially the original cathedral built between 1601 and 1829, enjoying the beautiful rose windows on the facade, and intricate Gothic details at every corner. Inside, the main attraction is the stained glass windows, which, while recent, depict the life of Joan of Arc.