Gothic
architecture
Masterpieces
Gothic beads
- 56m façade height in Abbeville
- 1440start of construction of Rue
- 28listed statues at Saint-Riquier
Amiens, Abbeville, Corbie
Gothic masterpieces
A pioneer of Gothic art, Picardy is a land of cathedral builders… It boasts no fewer than 6 (Amiens, Noyon, Soissons, Beauvais, Laon, Senlis).
Its jewel? Notre-Dame Cathedral in Amiens, of course, described by Ruskin as the “Pantheon of Gothic”. But the Somme department also harbors a number of other nuggets of this light and airy architecture.
What was the stroke of genius of this art form? The invention of the Gothic vault, which frees up space. This allows light to penetrate generously.
Heading west, Abbeville is home to one of the masterpieces of flamboyant Gothic architecture: the collegiate church of Saint-Vulfran. Buttresses, large bays, lacy stonework and rosettes bear witness to its architectural style.
Discover also theSaint-Pierre de Corbieabbey church. It was the main church of the powerful abbey that spread throughout Europe.
Rue Chapel
flamboyant and abundant
Another marvel of flamboyant Gothic art is the Chapelle du Saint-Esprit in Rue. The decoration is rich and lush, in the Flemish style. The vaults are adorned with magnificent hanging keys. The Treasury is magnificent.
+ Further information: Office de Tourisme de Rue
Gothic beads :
Amiens Cathedral – Tourist Office 03 22 71 60 50 – guided tours every day
Collégiale Saint-Vulfran d’Abbeville – Tourist Office 03 22 24 27 92
Abbatiale Saint-Pierre de Corbie – Val de Somme Tourist Office 03 22 96
Chapelles de l’Hospice et du Saint-Esprit in Rue – Tourist Office 03 22 25 69 94
Abbaye Royale de Saint-Riquier – 03 22 99 96 25
Eglise Saint Leu in Amiens – Tourist Office 03 22 71 60 50 – guided tours on request
©Stéphane Bouilland
©Stéphane Bouilland
The Chapelle de Saint-Esprit is a pure marvel of flamboyant Gothic architecture!
©Stéphane Bouilland
Royal Abbey of Saint-Riquier
An extraordinary ensemble
The abbey church of Saint-Riquier is a unique example of the evolution of Gothic architecture. The abbey’s facade is dominated by a single central tower, rising 50 meters and covered with enshrined statues.
Thanks to a library that over the centuries became one of the most important in Europe, and a scriptorium that was particularly active in the creation and dissemination of the caroline minuscule, the abbey played a considerable role in the preservation and transmission of knowledge until the end of the 12th century.
Meet
Gilles
Guide at the Tourist Office
“I love reading its Gothic facade and discovering its history, its origins; getting inside and diving into its secrets, its legends…. I love taking our visitors on this journey through time!”
