In a country of jaw-dropping churches, soaring Cathedral of the Holy Cross still raises a gasp. Originally built in the 13th century, it underwent mostly Gothic tinkering by successive monarchs after being partly blown up by Protestant zealots in 1568. Joan of Arc famously prayed here on 8 May 1429 and was greeted with a procession of thanks for saving the town; in the vast nave, 10 extraordinarily vivid stained-glass windows (1893) lavishly illustrate her life and gruesome death.
The most picturesque way to approach the 140m-long cathedral is along majestic rue Jeanne d'Arc. It was Henri IV who kicked off the cathedral’s reconstruction in 1601. Louis XIII (r 1610–43) restored the choir and nave, Louis XIV (r 1643–1715) was responsible for the transept, and Louis XV (r 1715–74) and Louis XVI (r 1774–92) rebuilt the western facade, including its narthex (vestibule), arches and wedding-cake towers.
