Oh this is and always will be a sentimental city for me, my first in France really spent time in it. I am thrill to tell you it is my dear city of Meaux and a place never missed when around the area of Seine et Marne dept 77 of the Île de France region of my belle France. I have written several posts , but this is new text and pictures from this week trip. Therefore, let me tell you again about my sentimental Meaux, Always in my mind wherever I will be in our world !!! I have touch base with many of its monuments and attractions and even written posts on them, this is my Meaux !!! Let me tell you again about the Cathédrale Saint Etienne de Meaux , part VII !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The current Cathédrale Saint Etienne was built on the site of an old Romanesque cathedral. It is now impossible to date precisely the beginnings of the reconstruction of the cathedral, following the destruction of the archives of the bishopric in 1793-94 (during the French revolution). However, it can estimate that it began around 1175. The cathedral thus combines the different phases of Gothic, from the classical style of the end of the 12C to the flamboyant style of the 15C. The Saint Stephens Cathedral has dimensions of 85 meters on the interior. The height of the North tower: 60 meters. The height under the vault of the nave: 31 meters
The large western facade has three monumental portals. As in many other Romanesque or Gothic cathedrals, the central portal is dedicated to the Last Judgment. Its tympanum represents the resurrection of the dead and the image of Paradise and Hell. The tympanum of the left portal is dedicated to the life of Saint John the Baptist, the one on the right to the life of the Virgin Mary. The north tower of the cathedral, with a height of 60 meters is the only one to have been completed; the southern one, made of wood, had been built to temporarily house the bells. It was ultimately not dismantled and is referred to as the black tower. In the center of the facade is a large flamboyant rose window created in the second half of the 15C. On the south side, at the end of the transept, is the Saint-Étienne portal, also called the Merciers portal. Its tympanum represents the life of this saint, the first Christian martyr. To the north, the second portal of the transept is also dedicated to Saint Stephen (Etienne),
The interior of the St Stephens’ Cathedral is remarkable for its luminosity and the delicacy of its sculpted ornamentation. One of the most important characteristics of the sanctuary, which is found nowhere else in another Gothic cathedral, is the height of the vaults of the aisles which reach more or less 15 meters, half that of the main nave. These being equipped with high bays, the light penetrates in abundance in the heart of the cathedral and thus reveals the color of the stone of Varreddes, used in the construction. The nave and the choir have 5 nerfs, with the central nave bordered on either side by 2 aisles or collaterals. It is only at the level of the apse that the ambulatory is reduced to a single nerf in a semicircle, which follows the internal ambulatory of the rectangular part of the choir, the external part of the latter being replaced by the radiant chapels 5 in number. The reverses of the facades of the transept are particularly remarkable and of great beauty, especially in the southern transept. They are richly decorated and feature real fabrics or stone embroidery. They are partly inspired by N.D.de Paris, but the style here is more refined and the ornamentation is richer.
The Catholic Diocese of Meaux on the Catedral: https://www.catho77.fr/le-diocese-de-meaux/la-cathedrale-de-meaux/
The local Meaux Marne Ourcq tourist office on the Cathédrale Saint Etienne : https://www.meaux-marne-ourcq.com/en/discover/travel-back-in-time/saint-etienne-cathedral-basilica/727346_cathedrale-basilique-saint-etienne/
The city of Meaux on the cathedral: https://www.ville-meaux.fr/ma-ville-et-actualites/tourisme/balade-a-meaux/la-cathedrale
The Seine et Marne dept77 tourist office on Meaux : https://www.tourisme-seine-et-marne.fr/en/explore-the-area/destinations/meaux/
There you go folks, always memorable moments that staye d with you no matter what, time does not diminished the sadness of not having my dear late wife Martine who introduce me to this historical city, Meaux. Also,a great inexpensive alternative to Disneyland only about 20 minutes away by car from where we came this time. Do see my other posts on Meaux. I will always remember Meaux, and a must stop when in the region, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Cathédrale Saint Etienne de Meaux , part VII !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, andn many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 