Built at the instigation of Milon de Nanteuil (1217-1234), the cathedral

of Beauvais, known as the Haute-Oeuvre to distinguish it from the

10th-century Basse-Oeuvre, was consecrated in 1272. A first building

collapse in 1284 and then a second in 1573 finally reined in the builders’

zeal. Without its nave, which, given the height of the vaulting (48 metres

high, the tallest Gothic vaults in Europe) no doubt would have been

immensely long, the cathedral’s at once massive and soaring shape

dominates an area destroyed by the 1940 bombardements. The canonical

cloister and the Bishop’s Palace, now the Departmental museum, were spared

from war-time damage. Although the cathedral lost the statues decorating

its portal as well as some elements of its interior decoration during the

Revolution, it still contains a rich collection of furnishings which are

well worth examining and wonderful Medieval and Renaissance stained-glass

windows illuminate the sanctuary redecorated by the sculptor

Nicolas-Sebastien Adam in circa 1750. Every century has contributed to the

embellishment of the cathedral of Saint-Pierre and this guide invites

visitors to explore the traces left by each historical period.