This early Gothic cathedral, located in the heart of Soissons, was built from 1176 and continued to develop until the 14th century. Dedicated to the martyrs Gervasius and Protasius, it serves as the seat of the Bishop of Soissons.
The oldest part is the southern transept, with a striking quadripartite structure and a rounded apse. The choir, completed around 1212, is light and spacious, surrounded by an ambulatory with five chapels. The stained glass windows date largely from the 13th and 14th centuries. A 15th-century tapestry depicts the lives of the patron saints.
The west façade is simple but impressive, with three portals and a large rose window. Only one of the two planned towers was built; this southern tower, 66 metres high, was inspired by Notre-Dame de Paris .
Inside, you will also find works of art by Rubens and Philippe de Champaigne. Despite damage during the First World War, the cathedral remained a powerful symbol of Gothic architecture and religious history in northern France.