Catedral de Notre Dame (Grenoble Cathedral), Grenoble
Grenoble Cathedral, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral, is a historic religious complex that includes the former bishop鈥檚 palace, the Church of Saint-Hugues, and an early Christian baptistery accessible through the Museum of the Former Bishopric. The bishopric of Grenoble dates back to the late 4th century, with the first known bishop, Dommin, recorded in 381. The cathedral stands on a site that has played a central role in Grenoble鈥檚 religious history since the city was renamed Gratianopolis under Emperor Gratian. For centuries, the bishop of Grenoble held the title of Prince of the City, reflecting the intertwined nature of religious and civic authority before the Revolution.
Grenoble Cathedral is architecturally unique, composed of two adjacent churches鈥擭otre-Dame and Saint-Hugues鈥攆orming a rare double church system. Saint-Hugues may have originally served as a chapel for the bishop or a preparatory space for baptism. The current structures were rebuilt in the mid-13th century in Gothic style, with earlier Romanesque elements still visible, such as the portal dated to 1140 and the Saxon pillar. The massive porch tower, constructed in the early 13th century, remains a dominant feature of the cathedral's western side.
The choir and nave were reconstructed in the 13th century, limited in size by the city wall to the east and the existing porch tower to the west. Inside, the cathedral contains a blend of medieval and later elements, including an intricately designed Gothic ciborium from around 1455, a 16th-century Carrara marble tabernacle originally from the Grande Chartreuse, and a 19th-century high altar. Several chapels, added in the 15th century, display Renaissance and Gothic details, such as the medallion depicting the crowning of the Virgin Mary surrounded by carved swallows. The five gilded wooden panels in the apse depict scenes from Christ鈥檚 life, and the stained glass windows, installed in 1879, portray the Assumption of Mary.
Grenoble Cathedral is architecturally unique, composed of two adjacent churches鈥擭otre-Dame and Saint-Hugues鈥攆orming a rare double church system. Saint-Hugues may have originally served as a chapel for the bishop or a preparatory space for baptism. The current structures were rebuilt in the mid-13th century in Gothic style, with earlier Romanesque elements still visible, such as the portal dated to 1140 and the Saxon pillar. The massive porch tower, constructed in the early 13th century, remains a dominant feature of the cathedral's western side.
The choir and nave were reconstructed in the 13th century, limited in size by the city wall to the east and the existing porch tower to the west. Inside, the cathedral contains a blend of medieval and later elements, including an intricately designed Gothic ciborium from around 1455, a 16th-century Carrara marble tabernacle originally from the Grande Chartreuse, and a 19th-century high altar. Several chapels, added in the 15th century, display Renaissance and Gothic details, such as the medallion depicting the crowning of the Virgin Mary surrounded by carved swallows. The five gilded wooden panels in the apse depict scenes from Christ鈥檚 life, and the stained glass windows, installed in 1879, portray the Assumption of Mary.
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Catedral de Notre Dame (Grenoble Cathedral) on Map
Sight Name: Catedral de Notre Dame (Grenoble Cathedral)
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Grenoble, France
Create Your Own Walk in Grenoble
Creating your own self-guided walk in Grenoble is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Grenoble Introduction Walking Tour
Grenoble, nestled at the foot of the French Alps, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and innovation that appeals to a wide range of visitors. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and crisscrossed by rivers, making it a gateway for outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and paragliding. At the same time, its compact center is filled with lively squares, pedestrian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles