Coutances Cathedral
About Coutances Cathedral
Coutances Cathedral is a 13th-century Norman Gothic masterpiece that dominates the skyline of this small Normandy town. Built between 1210 and 1274, the current structure cleverly incorporates the walls of an earlier 11th-century Romanesque cathedral beneath its Gothic exterior. The cathedral features twin spires reaching 77 and 75 meters, and its famous octagonal lantern tower floods the interior with natural light through 16 windows. Visitors can explore the nave with its 13th-century stained glass windows, including works depicting Saint Thomas Becket and the Last Judgment. Guided tours offer access to the upper parts of the cathedral, climbing through the towers and galleries for panoramic views of the Cotentin Peninsula. The cathedral holds three Michelin stars and can be seen from as far as Jersey island on clear days. Summer hours extend to 7 PM while winter hours end at 6 PM. An audioguide in French and English is available for self-guided visits.
Interesting Facts
The cathedral's lantern tower was so structurally daring that the famous 17th-century military engineer Vauban specifically studied it. The octagonal tower is partially cantilevered on four pendentives, a technique that seemed to defy gravity and impressed architects for centuries.
During World War II, German forces painted the cathedral in camouflage colors to hide it from Allied bombers. Traces of this military paint were only fully removed during restoration work in the 1990s, revealing the original stone beneath.
The original lantern tower spire was taller than both facade towers until it was destroyed by bombing during World War II. The fire burned down to the bell chamber level, and the spire was never rebuilt to its original height.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
1 rue du Puits Notre-Dame, 50200 Coutances, France
Day Routes
Explore all day routesThese carefully curated day itineraries include this attraction and show you exactly how to plan your visit, including transport, timing, and what else to see nearby.
Want to visit this attraction? These routes show you how to get here and what to combine it with.
