People always want higher, further, grander. Whether it is the Tower of Babel or Musk’s rockets to take us to Mars – there seems to be a universal urge to touch heaven. In Beauvais (Normandy, France), halfway between Paris and Amiens, that ambition led to a Gothic masterpiece in the 13th and 16th centuries. Or at least, an attempt at one. Read why.
Beauvais Cathedral: Unfinished Gothic Masterpiece
Beauvais Cathedral is the tallest, but also the most tragic cathedral in France. It towers over history, both literally and figuratively, but is at the same time a lesson in ambition as well as hubris. How was it that this structure, which was meant to be the largest and most beautiful in Europe, was never finished? Let Aldéric Carpentier (guide and volunteer) take you through this story of ambition, disaster and hope.
The Fire, The Dream and the Bishop
The story of Saint-Pierre Cathedral begins, as with many cathedrals, with disaster. In 1225, a fire destroyed the Romanesque church Notre-Dame de la Basse-Œuvre, the spiritual heart of Beauvais. Built around 950, this Carolingian church was impressive for its time: 70-80 metres long and vaults 19 metres high. But by 13th-century standards, it was outdated: in Amiens, construction of the 42-metre-high nave of the new cathedral had started in 1220.
This did not leave the bishop of Beauvais, Milon de Nanteuil, cold. Ambitious as he was, he seized on the destruction of his old church to realise a vision that would put his city in the limelight. Beauvais would have a cathedral that surpassed everything. Even Paris. Even Amiens!
‘The bishop of Beauvais did not only have spiritual power,’ Carpentier explains. ‘He was also a count and one of the six powerful ‘Paire de France’. A monumental cathedral was a way to emphasise his status.’
A monumental cathedral was a way to emphasise his status.
The new, Gothic architecture provided the perfect opportunity to achieve this. With its distinctive pointed arches, aerial arches and huge stained-glass windows, this church became a physical and symbolic attempt to both touch the sky and honour the king.
Small town, Big Plans
Construction began in 1225 and stretched over several centuries. It was allowed to cost a bit. By comparison, historians estimate that the total construction cost of Paris’ Notre-Dame in today’s euros would be somewhere between 200 million and 500 million. This includes the cost of materials, labour, transport and the cathedral’s design. Where did Beauvais get these resources from?
That a relatively small town like Beauvais could undertake such an ambitious project says a lot about medieval society. The town had wealth, status and a bishop who dared to dream big. Much of the funds needed came from the city and the bishop himself, Alderic knows.
‘The bishop and canons of Beauvais dedicated the income from all vacant positions in the diocese, as well as a tenth of their income for ten years, to the project. Income from certain mills was also allocated to the construction.’
‘Later, in the 16th century, the financing of the transept was secured by various sources: collection boxes in the church, contributions from pious brotherhoods, funds from the bishop and proceeds from the treasury.’
What is also striking is how important cooperation was. Funding came from local taxes, church contributions and even royal support. King Francis I, for example, helped with a tax on salt. ‘This generosity was partly motivated by the fact that the Beauvais chapter had contributed to the payment of his ransom when François I was captured by Charles V,’ says Alderic.
Experimentation - or hubris?
In 1260, the choir of the cathedral was completed. With vaults 48 metres high, it was the tallest cathedral on earth. The design was influenced by Amiens Cathedral, but went much further in scale and grandeur. Its narrow walls were supported by (triple!) aerial arches, while huge stained-glass windows filled the interior with light. This choir soon became one of the wonders of Gothic architecture.
An unparalleled architectural wonder? Definitely! A building fault in the making? Absolutely. ‘Master builders of the time were experts, but they worked in a constant process of experimentation to create this revolutionary art.’ explains Carpentier. And experimentation also often meant: failure.
In 1284, just 24 years after its completion, parts of the choir collapsed. The cause: presumably a combination of structural instability and strong wind loads (sounds familiar if you know the story about the Utrecht Dom Church) . ‘Nowadays, we could probably have avoided this failure with computer simulations,’ says Alderic, laughing.
Six-part vaults
But the builders did not back down. The choir was rebuilt, learning from their experience. ‘The structure was modified: the rectangular vaults (in four sections) were replaced by six-part vaults, and the inner piers were doubled’.
While these modifications made the choir safer, they came at the expense of the slender elegance of the original design. There was also an advantage, namely the perception of ‘verticality’: ‘The impression of steepness was enhanced by the faster succession of bays.’ (from: Gothic, 1998). The new design made the space feel more upward-facing, almost as if the whole structure was pulled into the sky. This was precisely one of the wishes of the founding fathers of the Gothic style.
A Spire Too Far
In the 16th century, they decided to add to it. A flamboyant transept was added to the cathedral. But Beauvais’ greatest ambition (and fall) came in 1569, when a 153-metre central spire (or: lantern tower) was completed. This temporarily made Beauvais the tallest building in the world.
But in 1573, just four years after its completion, disaster struck again. The spire collapses with a resounding thunder.
‘The spire could have remained standing if a nave had been built to support it,’ Carpentier notes. ‘But without that counterweight, she was doomed to fail.’ In particular, the haste with which the builders worked led to a fatal error. ‘Their ambition was to surpass the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, a newly completed masterpiece, in an ever-increasing quest for grandeur.’
Their ambition was to surpass the dome of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, in an ever-increasing quest for grandeur.’
Forced Hero
After the collapse of the spire, no one dared to enter the unstable structures that still threatened to collapse. ‘The story goes,’ says Alderic, ’that a prisoner was promised mercy on condition that he undertook this dangerous task.’
‘The man succeeded, dangling from ropes at a great height. In return, he was given back his life and freedom. This story illustrates both the constantly present risks for the builders and their determination to overcome all obstacles.’
In the end, the collapse nevertheless marked the end of the cathedral’s construction. Why was the cathedral never completed, we ask Alderic.
Why Was the Beauvais Cathedral Never Completed?
Alderic often hears this question from visitors he shows around. Surely they could have just built the nave first after the collapse? Now only a choir stands, with a remnant of the old Romanesque cathedral.
The reason lies in a combination of factors:
- Money problems: Building a cathedral required huge resources. In the 13th century, these came from tithes (church taxes), income from local mills, and donations from the community. Yet this was not enough to complete the project.
- Unrest and war: The Hundred Years’ War and later conflicts slowed progress considerably.
- Trends: By the time construction could resume, interest in Gothic architecture had waned.
3x Why Gothic Cathedral Construction Came to a Halt
Why came the construction of Gothic cathedrals in France suddenly to a surprising halt in the 14th century? We found three main reasons.
Those who still want to get an idea of what the cathedral should have looked like will have to make do with the otherwise beautiful 3D images.
An Unfinished Masterpiece
The location and lack of a strong urban function after World War II contributed to the cathedral’s relative oblivion and decline (Gothic, 1998). Today, the cathedral remains a challenge to maintain. Thanks to a €17 million-plus restoration project, wooden supports are being replaced with permanent solutions. In addition, the roof is being addressed.
For although Beauvais is unfinished, it continues to inspire admiration as an unfinished masterpiece. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the famous 19th-century architect, once called Beauvais’ choir ’the Parthenon of French Gothic architecture.’ Its architecture even inspired the main building of Fermilab, a physics institute near Chicago.
Expert Tip
Visitors can still marvel at some amazing art treasures and architectural delights inside the cathedral. ‘If you visit the cathedral,’ tips Alderic, ’pay attention to at least these three:’
- The Astronomical Clock: Built in 1866, with 90,000 parts and 52 dials displaying astronomical and ecclesiastical calendars. For a detailed description and information about supporting the preservation, click here!
- The Stained Glass Windows: Dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, these bathe the interior in colourful light.
- Flamboyant Architecture: The transept, designed by Martin Chambiges, is a superb example of late Gothic architecture (although others are less appreciative of the flamboyant excesses, calling it ‘busy’ and ‘lavish’).
Alderic has a favourite spot himself. ‘Of the many remarkable places in the cathedral, I would choose without hesitation the deambulatory near the astronomical bells. From there it is possible to see at a glance the complexity of the monumental clock, the ancient clock from the 14th century, the transept, the great organs and the majestic vaults of the choir. By turning around, you will discover a unique perspective that shows the richness and grandeur of this structure.’
For Alderic personally, the cathedral is ‘a real personal passion, which allows me to get to know not only visitors but also the monument itself, thanks to the rich exchanges we have during the tours.’ He adds that he regrets that although the city’s Christians visit the church, a large proportion of Beauvais residents have never seen the inside of the cathedral. This lack of knowledge about their own heritage always remains surprising.
Symbol of Ambition and Ingenuity
The cathedral has stood proudly for 800 years. Alderic expects it to remain so for some time to come. ‘Of course, conditions must remain favourable and regular maintenance is necessary. It seems very likely to me that visitors will be marvelling at this monument for centuries to come. It will remain an important symbol of France’s history, religion and human ambition ánd ingenuity.’
Aldéric Carpentier is a cathedral guide and volunteer for l’Association Beauvais Cathédrale. Would you like contribute to the preservation of the astronomical clock? Click here to donate.
Do you want to know more before you visit Beauvais? Check out the Travel Tips below, or feel free contact me!
About the cathedraL SAINT PIERRE DE BEAUVAIS
Building period: 1225–1272 (choir); various later additions
Length: Approx. 72.5 m (choir and transept only – no nave)
Width: 67.2 m (at the transept)
Height (choir vault): 48 m (the tallest Gothic choir in the world)
Original height of tower (now collapsed): 153 m (briefly the tallest structure in the world)
As the nave was never built, the dimensions reflect the choir and transept only, making this an architectural giant in ambition but incomplete in form!
The Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre de Beauvais is a masterpiece of Gothic ambition and innovation, located in northern France. Construction began in 1225, with the goal of creating the tallest cathedral in Christendom. The soaring 48-meter-high choir vaults, completed in 1272, remain the tallest in the Gothic world, showcasing the daring vision of its builders. However, this ambition led to structural challenges, and part of the choir collapsed in 1284, halting further expansion.
In 1569, a central tower was added, briefly making the cathedral the tallest structure in the world at 153 meters. Tragically, the tower collapsed in 1573, underscoring the fragility of its groundbreaking design. Despite these setbacks, the cathedral’s intricate façade, dazzling stained glass windows, and its Astronomical Clock (installed in 1866) make it a stunning example of Gothic artistry.
Have a look yourself from anywhere in the world with this incredible virtual tour!
LUX Travel Tips
- Aldéric is a volunteer for the l’Assocation Beauvais Cathédrale. You can join the guided tours (8,-), starting at 15:00 pm, every 2nd Saturday of the month. Ask for Aldéric 😉
- Check the Visite Beauvais website for more information about Beauvais and tours.
- Yes, it’s Mercure (Beauvais Centre Cathedrale). But this one is different: “Practically a palace. The old wing sits on a small river and looks like it used to be a mill. Very picturesque”.
- Are you taking kids? This city centre appartment Au Coeur de Beauvais is just perfect!
They’re website puts it nicely: “La Gargouille. Isn’t that obvious? Did you know? From the Latin “garg”, throat, and the Old French “goule”, mouth, the gargoyle does its job on the cathedral: it drains water from the building to protect its walls. We, too, are committed to fulfilling our role: to heal your throat, to restore you in a special place we’ve chosen to deliver a cuisine that’s just like us.” I’m getting hungry now 🙂
- Predici, Ma Cantine de Saison: Here you get not one pastry, but several. Just because you can. And because they are particularly delicious! This congenial little joint is a perfect stop before or after your visit to the cathedral. You are literally steps away on the terrace.
