It's not easy to reach the old town of Bourges by mobile home. We had to leave it at the bottom of town along the Auron River and walk back up.

What we discover is the archetype of the Gothic cathedral, with its long nave, its slender windows, its flying buttresses, a gigantic stone vessel stranded in the city... Historians agree that "the building is remarkable as much for its harmonious proportions, linked to the unity of its design, as for the quality of its tympanums, its sculptures and its stained glass windows" (Wikipedia).

As far as sculptures and stained glass are concerned, many other Christian buildings can rival this one, but it is true that the unity of its construction (from 1195 BC to 1324 BC) is clearly visible (Introductory photo). Unfortunately, the discovery of this ogre did not leave us with an indelible memory. This is only a question of personal feeling, which does not in any way detract from the plastic and historical quality of this building, of course.

So why Bourges WHS when there are those of Amiens, Chartres, Reims and Soissons built at the same time in the same style, including Amiens, Chartres and Reims listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Is it different? Is the difference such that it justifies an "exceptional" quality? The answer is yes and no. After comparing the plans of each of these cathedrals, we can read that the Saint-Etienne Cathedral of Bourges is a variant of the French Gothic cathedrals built in the 12th-13th century. Compared to the others, its plan is simplified, without a prominent heart or transept. And it's strange, this building too pure, too smooth, too clean, too harmonious. Perhaps it is this absence of defects, of irregularities that gives it less charm and makes it less admired? Not to mention that the context of the city does not help: the immediate surroundings do not show it off either, it is a shame for the simple curious visitor because his impression is biased by his emotions while he is facing one of the major buildings of French Gothic.