COUTANCES
The Cathedral
Coutances Cathedral, along with the “Merveille” of Mont Saint-Michel, is the most famous jewel of Gothic art in Normandy. Built in the first decades of the 13thCentury, the current edifice is built around important parts of the 11th Century Roman cathedral.
More than a simple visit: one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Normandy opens its most secret doors to you. Accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the edifice, you will discover everything from above that you will never see from below: the interior of the Roman towers, the attic, the stained-glass windows, the high galleries of the nave, and don't forget the vertiginous light tower.
There are two ways to visit the cathedral:
- with an audio-guide
- with a tourist guide
With an audio-guide:
The audio-guided tour of Coutances cathedral enables you to discover the history, architecture and changes in its construction. The audio-guide, which is very easy to use, leads you on an enjoyable, rich and diverse tour for half an hour (11 stations) at your own rhythm and at any time of the day.
The audio-guided tour of Coutances cathedral is available in two languages (French and English). The devices are available from the Coutances tourist office (all year) and at the cathedral reception (during the season). It is also possible to download the tour onto a Smartphone from a touch-screen terminal at the Town Hall.
With a guide:
Tour with guided commentary and access to the high areas.
Pays d'Art et d'Histoire tourist guides lead you through an exhibition tour inside the towers and galleries to discover Roman vestiges, the vertiginous light tower and the masterpiece Norman Gothic frames. Duration: 1:30
Warning
For safety reasons, access to the high areas is forbidden to children younger than 10 years and is limited to 14 visitors at a time. The cathedral is a place of worship: Visits may be cancelled or postponed because of religious ceremonies.
