Cathédrale Saint-Étienne
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne
4
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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- François-Verdier • 3 min walk
- Carmes • 6 min walk
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4.0
785 reviews
Excellent
294
Very good
359
Average
118
Poor
14
Terrible
0
ANGELO V
Milan, Italy4,529 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
St. Stephen Cathedral in Toulouse was built above an 11th century church, itself above a 3rd century church. Works for the current building started in the 13th century, and continued in the following centuries, until a fire destroyed it in 1609, so renovations were started.
After the French revolution it was converted into a Temple of Reason and several parts were destroyed, until it was returned to the Church in 1802.
Further damages were caused by a hurricane in 1808, and by a nearby explosion in 1816.
In 1850 a full scale renovation was started, to restore the church to its former Gothic style. Today it's a mix of styles, that make this church unique and beautiful, even if it still has a feeling of "unfinished".
After the French revolution it was converted into a Temple of Reason and several parts were destroyed, until it was returned to the Church in 1802.
Further damages were caused by a hurricane in 1808, and by a nearby explosion in 1816.
In 1850 a full scale renovation was started, to restore the church to its former Gothic style. Today it's a mix of styles, that make this church unique and beautiful, even if it still has a feeling of "unfinished".
Written 28 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explore with Ethan
Hornchurch, UK1,427 contributions
Jan 2020
Lovely cathdral to visit and free entry. Sadly there were a bunch of people squatting outside playing loud music but that's not the chruches fault.
I have a vlog of my experience, please feel free to search for Beckyboos Travel Adventures on YouTube for more info.
I have a vlog of my experience, please feel free to search for Beckyboos Travel Adventures on YouTube for more info.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zenoski N
11 contributions
Dec 2019
Toulouse just before Christmas , plenty of people ,locals , tourists . Then in the city centre we found that building . From outside it didn¨t look like Catedral . Inside we found Oasis of Tranqulity . We were the only two in the whole building . We could admire it with no rush . We love it .
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darren G
Stirling, UK34 contributions
July 2022
This is a very endearing cathedral that's got a clear story to it. But it certainly isn't the prettiest. Just try to make sense of that west front, I dare you, and the inside doesn't vaguely line up. It's so wonky you'll remember it in years to come.
The quire and chevet are beatiful. The (ecclesiastical) west part of the nave needs some work (I'm sure they're on it when there's money for it).
The quire and chevet are beatiful. The (ecclesiastical) west part of the nave needs some work (I'm sure they're on it when there's money for it).
Written 3 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruegel
Bruxelles589 contributions
At the entrance a leaflet, in English, explains and warns:
"The Cathedral of Saint Etienne (St-Stephen) surprises and puzzles the visitor whether one looks at it from inside or from outside, since it is the result of a juxtaposition of buildings that have been either amputed or left unfinished, built between the 11th and the 17th century and even in the 20th century (north portal).
In spite of (or because of) its whimsical structure and its asymmetry, the Cathedral of St-Etienne is a building of great interest because of the abundance and the variety of the works of art that it houses."
The traveller, who on his trip in old Europe, will have seen hundreds of churches with a classical plan, will enjoy leaning against the enormous central pillar (of Jean of Orleans) and discovering to his left the Bishop Isarn's nave, known as Raimondine nave, the most ancient part and on his right the choir of the Canons with the stalls, the altar, the ambulatory with twelve chapels .
The tapestries show the life of St-Stephen.
Unfinished and truncated, because of financial difficulties, death of the master of the works, fire, revolution, St-Etienne is a perfect example of setbacks that made this cathedral, which should have been a rival of Reims according to the bishop Bertrand de l'Isle, more surprising than beautiful.
Place St-Etienne
Next to the Prefecture.
"The Cathedral of Saint Etienne (St-Stephen) surprises and puzzles the visitor whether one looks at it from inside or from outside, since it is the result of a juxtaposition of buildings that have been either amputed or left unfinished, built between the 11th and the 17th century and even in the 20th century (north portal).
In spite of (or because of) its whimsical structure and its asymmetry, the Cathedral of St-Etienne is a building of great interest because of the abundance and the variety of the works of art that it houses."
The traveller, who on his trip in old Europe, will have seen hundreds of churches with a classical plan, will enjoy leaning against the enormous central pillar (of Jean of Orleans) and discovering to his left the Bishop Isarn's nave, known as Raimondine nave, the most ancient part and on his right the choir of the Canons with the stalls, the altar, the ambulatory with twelve chapels .
The tapestries show the life of St-Stephen.
Unfinished and truncated, because of financial difficulties, death of the master of the works, fire, revolution, St-Etienne is a perfect example of setbacks that made this cathedral, which should have been a rival of Reims according to the bishop Bertrand de l'Isle, more surprising than beautiful.
Place St-Etienne
Next to the Prefecture.
Written 13 August 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
auntieshaz21
Lanton, France663 contributions
Dec 2019
Although its construction is very interesting and the building itself is stunning. It has a long, turbulent history and is believed to date back as far as 844 but not in its present state. Worth a look.
Written 12 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douchka N
Palm Harbor, FL28 contributions
Sept 2019
As the description says the cathedral is a notch-pitch of building styles. But it is a gorgeous, huge cathedral, almost with over the top decorations. Worth a visit.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon L
31 contributions
June 2019 • Family
Entry to the Cathedral is free. The building itself is interesting as it is built in two styles. Inside there is a very impressive organ. Worth popping in if you are passing.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
London, UK117 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
From the moment you first set eyes on St Etienne you gaze with wonder. It is enormous and incredibly ugly. It is monolithic yet lacks any architectural clarity.
It was reassuring to find that inside was almost as bad with the exception of the fine gothic alter which gets it the second circle.
Visit if only to be reassured that not all cathedrals are beautiful.
It was reassuring to find that inside was almost as bad with the exception of the fine gothic alter which gets it the second circle.
Visit if only to be reassured that not all cathedrals are beautiful.
Written 3 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheri Laizer
Carcassonne Center, France662 contributions
Sept 2016 • Solo
St Etienne loomed before me and I entered from the heat to the cool.
Airy, majestic, fine stained glass windows and carved wooden pews, marble altars, a magnificent organ.
Part of the history of Toulouse as also of the religious history of France.
Airy, majestic, fine stained glass windows and carved wooden pews, marble altars, a magnificent organ.
Part of the history of Toulouse as also of the religious history of France.
Written 6 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will there be Armistice Day services at St. Etienne Cathedral on Wednesday and if so, at what times?
Written 9 November 2015
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