This remarkable facade belongs to the Notre-Dame de Dijon. It stands out from many other Gothic churches, so I thought it’s a noteworthy subject for this blog. And, not insignificantly, the façade is linked to a remarkable and tragic accident. Read in this article how a gargoyle killed a man during his wedding, leading to the destruction ánd restoration of the gargoyles.
Notre-Dame de Dijon: Burgundian Gothic Masterpiece
Construction of the Notre-Dame began in 1220, and by 1250, the building was largely completed. Historians highlight the uniqueness of the Notre-Dame of Dijon’s western façade. Its design is more planar and less ornate, a rarity in Gothic architecture. The façade functions as a screen, measuring 28.6 meters in height, 19.5 meters in width, and 6.2 meters in depth. It comprises three levels:
- The Lowest Level:
Features three large arcades that form the entry into a porch. This porch, supported by two rows of pillars, contains three doors leading into the nave. Originally, the doorway openings and the tympana were adorned with statues and sculptures, which were unfortunately destroyed in January 1794. - The Middle and Upper Levels:
Consist of two arcaded galleries, one above the other. Each level’s arches are supported by 17 small columns, each topped with a capital. These galleries are accentuated by three string courses that include dummy gargoyles alternating with metopes, emphasizing the galleries’ top and bottom. - Architectural Framing:
The façade is flanked by a pair of corner buttresses, each capped with a turret that encloses a spiral staircase, and finished with a conical roof.
The Gargoyle Incident
For now I’ll focus on the gargoyles in the middle and upper levels. Did you noticed there are 51 of them? They are decorative rather than functional as drain spouts, making them dummies. However, there are functional gargoyles on the lateral walls of the church and the walls of the apse, serving their traditional purpose of directing rainwater away from the building.
An interesting historical account by monk Étienne de Bourbon notes that the original gargoyles were removed around 1240 after a tragic incident.
A usurer (a person who lends money at excessively high interest rates, often exploiting borrowers) was killed by a stone figure representing a usurer that became detached and fell on him. This occurred on the church forecourt as he was about to get married.
His colleagues organized the destruction of all the dummy gargoyles on the façade, except for one located at the upper right corner, which remained until the 1960s before it was replaced.
Gargoyle
The word gargoyle (“gargouille”) comes from the French word “gargouiller,” meaning “to gargle” or “gurgle.” These fantastic figures were originally designed as elaborate rainwater spouts, ensuring that rainwater safely drained away from the building, preventing damage to the stone structures.
The concept of gargoyles dates back centuries, with the first known appearances in architecture found in the stunning Cathedral of Laon. These quirky yet functional creations combined practicality with artistic flair, channeling rainwater away from the building while showcasing intricate, grotesque, and often whimsical designs.
Legacy of the Gargoyles
Despite some 19th-century engravings not showing this gargoyle, it is visible in photographs taken before 1880. The gargoyles on the sides and the back of the façade were left intact.
The current dummy gargoyles, which decorate the façade and represent human beings, animals, and monsters, were created in 1880-1882 during the church’s restoration.
Dijon with Kids
Dijon is a city worth visiting in many respects, and not just because of the striking façade of the Notre-Dame. There’s a lot to do and see, especially considering the wealth of traces left by the Burgundians. I visited Dijon with my children. Specifically for them, the ‘Parcours de la chouette‘ has been created: a treasure hunt following bronze ‘owls’ on the ground. This way, I easily managed to take them along to the Notre-Dame, the cathedral, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
About the NOTRE-DAME de dijon
- Building period: 1220-1334
- Lenght (exterior): 65 m
- Width (transept): 27 m
- High (vault): 18,5 m
Construction began in 1230, and by 1250, the building was largely completed. They managed to build an impressive church within a small building plot in the city center. To achieve this, the architect had to be clever. For example, all the weight of the framing and the roof rests on pillars rather than flying buttresses, allowing for maximum floor space inside.
The church features a Latin cross layout. Its central area, bordered by pillars, is arranged across three tiers: at the base, six towering arcades upheld by cylindrical pillars, above which lies a triforium with slab flooring that forms the base for the topmost level—a high-windowed gallery.
The transept receives special emphasis as well. It starts with a solid base, above which sit five lancet windows, and further up, a rose window adds to its grandeur. Where the transept crosses, a lantern tower rises, featuring a triforium topped by eight windows. Additionally, at each corner where the transept and choir meet, there are two apsidioles.
As you can see in the image below, the plan was to build two square towers, above the façade. Only the foundations exist. The southern one serves as a support for the jacquemart.
LUX Travel Tips
- Book your guided tour through the historical city centre of Dijon.
- Are you travelling with kids? Do the ‘Parcours de la chouette‘, you’ll come across most of the highlights of the city and it’s fun (according to my children…).
- Visit ‘Chouette Animal’: essential for a better life. This little owl – the emblem of Dijon – is carved on the northern façade of the Notre-Dame church. If you stroke the owl with your left hand, it brings luck.
- While exploring Notre-Dame de Dijon, don’t forget to venture to the magnificent cathedral Saint-Benigne of Dijon, built in 1280.
- If you want to stay just next to the Notre-Dame, choose for Relais des Ducs with very nice apartments.
- Into the wine is a very convenient apartment (with own kitchen), in the city centre. Just a 4-minute walk from the notre-dame and 15 min. to the train station.
- Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon! It is the second largest museum in France and, like the Louvre, is located in a palace.
