CATHEDRALE NOTRE-DAME & SAINT-PRIVAT DE MENDE

The Gothic cathedral was born from the will of Pope Urban V, a native of Gévaudan. He began the work in 1368, two years before his death. The cathedral was consecrated in 1467, almost a century later. The bell towers, financed by Bishop François de la Rovère, of Italian origin, date from the beginning of the 16th century. The large 84m bell tower housed the "Non Pareille", then considered to be the largest bell in Christianity at the time. During the Wars of Religion, Captain Merle, leader of the Huguenots, forced the gates of the city on Christmas night 1579. He undertook to undermine the pillars of the building (remove the earth from under the foundations) which partially collapsed. The choir, a large part of the collaterals, mainly to the north, and the two bell towers resist. The cathedral was restored in the 17th century on the same plans. At the end of the 19th century, the vaults and decorations as well as the side porches were restored in the neo-Gothic style. The western porch was added and completed in 1906. To see inside : the Black Madonna from the 12th century, the portrait of Urban V from the 15th century, the stalls and the organ from the 17th century, the Aubusson tapestries from the Eighteenth century. Guided tours for individuals are put in place from June to September and during school holidays as well as by reservation the rest of the year. Click for more information on the cathedral of Mende as well as on the supports for the free visits (brochures, mobile applications, ...). A free explanatory brochure is available at the reception of the Mende Tourist Office. View the brochure to discover the cathedral and the historic center of Mende on your own . We wish you a pleasant discovery of the old town of Mende.

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