Bourges Cathedral
Bourges, France
A vast Gothic cathedral without transepts, famous for its medieval stained glass and five carved portals. The old town and marshland gardens lie right below.
Work on Bourges Cathedral began in 1195 and it was largely complete by about 1230; the nave stood around 1235. Unlike most High Gothic cathedrals it has no transept but double aisles instead. The interior is about 118 m long and the nave 37 m high. The west façade has five portals, more than Notre-Dame in Paris. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
It is famous for its 13th-century glass, especially the ambulatory windows of about 1215; many of the upper nave windows are grisaille. The lower church, completed around 1200, contains the tomb of Jean, Duke of Berry. The north tower, which collapsed in 1506 and was rebuilt by 1524, is known as the “Butter Tower”. Allow one to two hours; according to Frommer’s the north tower and crypt can be visited on a joint ticket, but check times in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Bourges, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.0822, 2.3995
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping de BourgesCampsite1 km from Bourges Cathedral · 84 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsDogs allowed
- Camping-Car Park BourgesMotorhome stopover1 km from Bourges Cathedral · 46 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Aire du Pré DouletMotorhome stopover2 km from Bourges CathedralMotorhomesWaste disposalDogs allowedFree
- Aire de Camping-car Saint-Georges-sur-MoulonMotorhome stopover12 km from Bourges Cathedral · 3 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
- Mehun-sur-Yèvre Aire de Camping-CarMotorhome stopover16 km from Bourges Cathedral · 10 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedFree
- Aire Camping-car Park LuneryMotorhome stopover19 km from Bourges Cathedral · 36 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Bourges Cathedral?
Bourges Cathedral is in Bourges, France, at GPS 47.0822, 2.3995. It is about 34 km from Meillant.
Can you camp near Bourges Cathedral?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire Bourges Rue Jean Bouin, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Bourges Cathedral?
Bourges Cathedral is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Upper Loire: canal bridges and Sancerre wine.
What is there to see near Bourges Cathedral?
Places worth a stop nearby: Briare canal bridge (67 km), Guédelon castle (80 km), Fleury Abbey (81 km) and Château de Chambord (89 km).
When is the best time to visit Bourges Cathedral?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)