Clermont-Ferrand - Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption

The construction of the cathedral began as early as 1248 in the then very new, gothic style. The black, vulcanic stones used from the beginning give the cathedral its dark colour. As these black stones are very strong it was possible for the architects to create very high and elegant pillars.

The choir, the transept and the start of the nave were finished about 50 years later, but it took upto the late 19th century, to finish the huge building, that was fortunately not dismantled during the French Revolution.