Located in the heart of Bordeaux on Place Pey-Berland, the Cathédrale Saint-André is the city’s most prominent religious monument and the seat of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Its origins date back to the Carolingian period, with the earliest mention in 814, and it was officially consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096.

The cathedral showcases French Gothic architecture, with a freestanding bell tower, the Tour Pey-Berland, built separately to preserve the cathedral’s structure from the weight of the bells. The north portal, known as the Royal Entrance, is a masterpiece of 13th-century Gothic sculpture, originally painted in vivid colors to attract worshippers. Inside, the cathedral features vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, and a nave that reflects the grandeur of medieval ecclesiastical design.

In 1137, the cathedral hosted the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Louis VII, who would later become King of France. Eleanor eventually became Queen of England and mother to Richard the Lionheart and King John. During the French Revolution, the cathedral was repurposed as a fodder store and later a Temple of Reason. It suffered a fire in the 19th century, and much of its furniture was replaced with items from other churches.