Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For the cathedral's 800th anniversary in 2011, six modern,
abstract windows
were
installed on either side of the Chagall windows. Just to the left is a 1901 statue of Joan of
Arc, her face carved from ivory.
From here, behind the high altar, enjoy the best view of the entire nave. Seen from
this distance, the west wall is an ensemble seemingly made entirely of glass. Look at the
confidence of the design. Even the corners outside the rose window were glass, made
without stone. The architects pulled out all the stops in this triumph of Gothic.
ThisformerArchbishop'sPalace,namedaftertheGreekletterT
(tau)
foritsshape,houses
artifacts from the cathedral next door and a pile of royal goodies. You'll look into the
weathered eyes of original statues from the cathedral's facade, see precious tapestries,
coronation jewels, and more.
Cost and Hours:
€7.50, May-Aug Tue-Sun 9:30-18:30, Sept-April Tue-Sun
9:30-12:30 & 14:00-17:30, closed Mon year-round, scant English information though an
audioguide is available at TI for €6, tel. 03 26 47 81 79,
www.palais-tau.monuments-na-
Visiting the Palace:
Thecollectionsareintwodistinctparts—thecathedralmuseum,
with statues and tapestries, and the royal chapel and treasury, with jewels and artifacts.
Most of the exhibits are on the upper level.
A highlight of the
cathedral museum
is the original centerpiece of the cathedral's
west facade: the fire-damaged Coronation of Mary group, carved in the 13th century. In
the same room, six figures from the Gallery of Kings stand as if guarding 16th-century
tapestries. Originally hung around the choir in the center of the cathedral, the themes of
these tapestries illustrating the Virgin's life supported the prayers and preaching of the
faithful. Cases show tiny statues with traces of original paint. Admire the amazing detail
of the carving.
The
royal chapel
was where the king would spend the night before his coronation,
secluded in prayer. Inlaid in the floor are fleurs-de-lis, symbol of the French monarchy. At
the altar are six candlesticks used at Napoleon's wedding in 1810.
Flanking the entry to the chapel are
treasury rooms
filled with royal valuables. On
the left are examples that survived the melt-it-down mania of the French Revolution. Ima-
gine the fury of the revolutionaries, who would melt down precious crowns and chalices
to satisfy their practical need for gold and silver. Very little survived that wasn't buried
away—these varied treasures were excavated from royal tombs in the 1920s (and survive
