Philatelic document - 800 years of Beauvais Cathedral

Description

In 2025, Beauvais Cathedral celebrates its 800th anniversary. In 1225, the cathedral dating from the year 1000, Notre-Dame de la Basse-Œuvre, was destroyed by fire. Bishop Milon de Nanteuil seized the opportunity to build a new cathedral church, surpassing its neighbors: Amiens, Rouen, Senlis, Paris... Today, it remains the tallest Gothic building in the world. Construction began with the choir, which was completed in 1272. Following a partial collapse of the vaults in 1284, major restoration work began, but slowed down in the 14th and 15th centuries due to the wars of the late Middle Ages. It wasn't until 1500 that the first stone of the transept was laid, and in 1569 the tower at its crossing was completed. Four years later, the spire collapsed, taking part of the transept and choir with it. From the 17th century onwards, Saint-Pierre Cathedral underwent no major modifications. No nave was ever added. Its instability remains a cause for concern, leading to regular restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries and, in 1993, to the installation of shoring to prevent any possible movement of the masonry. Since 2007, restoration work has resumed on the south facade, the lead roofing of the choir, the chapter house, the cloister and the creation of access for people with reduced mobility. At present, efforts are focused on reinforcing the fire safety system and restoring the height of the transept, so that the props that have supported the cathedral for 30 years can be removed. Unique for the setbacks it suffered in the course of its construction, Beauvais's Cathedral Saint-Pierre is also a French heritage masterpiece of unrivalled height, gracefully blending the remains of the Carolingian church with a monumental flamboyant façade.

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Création et gravure Elsa Catelin d'après photo (c) Ville de Beauvais et plan de la cathédrale © Herveline Delhumeau.