Sainte-Etienne Cathedral in Meaux France
Sainte-Etienne Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Etienne de Meaux) was one of my two primary reasons for choosing Meaux as a day-trip destination from Paris. My interest in medieval architecture began when I wrote a research paper on the cathedral in Chartres for a French history class. With each church that I visit, I always find a new feature of the architecture that has missed my notice in the past.
I entered Sainte-Etienne Cathedral via a side door after watching the World War I reenactment. The view from the center of the cathedral where the transept separates the chancel from the nave is spectacular. The chancel dates from the 13th century, the nave from the 15th century. [all historic details noted here come from a pamphlet given to me by the priest]
The window in the center, with the 6-petal rose window on top dates from the 14th century.
Chancel 14th century Stained Glass
Ornate grill-work protects the high altar and its reliquaries.
South Porch and Ambulatory
Turning back to my right, I realized that the door through which I entered had a magnificently grand window.
South Entrance
This entry is the south porch which sustained damage during the Wars of Religion (1562-1598) When taking the reenactment photos (10 Reasons to Visit Meaux), I failed to notice the decapitated saints that grace this door. Luckily, one of my photos of the group does show the state of the statues.
Statues decapitated 25 June 1562
Immediately to the right of this entrance is the south ambulatory, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. Weekly mass is held here.
Sainte-Etienne Cathedral Chapels
There are 5 side chapels behind the high altar. The one designated specifically for the children was my favorite. If memory serves me correctly, this is the Chapel of Sainte-Geneviève who is the patron saint of Paris.
The Chapel of the Virgin Mary has beautiful stained glass showing her life in relationship to Christ’s life.
Sainte-Etienne Cathedral North Ambulatory
This painting by Jean Senelle dominates the North Ambulatory. Dated 1648, it bears a message to la reine Anne d’Autriche (Queen Anne of Austria: wife of Louis XIII, queen regent and mother of Louis XIV) :Prenez modèle sur la Reine Bathilde (Use Queen Bathilde as your model.) Bathilde became Queen regent when Clovis died in 655 and her list of accomplishments at that time is impressive. Senelle clearly had good reason for his admonishment to the Queen.
Sainte-Etienne Cathedral Nave
This statue of Jaques-Bénigne Bossuet dominates the north side of the nave. Built in 1911 to commemorate his life as a French theologian, orator and bishop, the gardens were at this time renamed also in his honor.
A final view of Saint-Etienne Cathedral from the back of the nave:
Leaving the Cathedral, I then explored the Bossuet Garden and the Episcopal Palace that I wrote about in 10 Reasons to Visit Meaux .
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