The rose windows of the transept and the west rose
The transept is lit by two dazzling rose windows. The harmony of their colours is remarkable. They open out into a network of petals “set with brilliant enamels” (Boissonnot).
The south rose
The south rose, from the late 13th century, is dedicated to Christ. It unfolds a crown of medallions filled with saints singing hymns to the Paschal Lamb, at the centre. View
This rose bears the mark of royal iconography, with the arms of Saint Louis View and the castles of Blanche of Castile, his mother View. The colours are magical and in perfect harmony with the midday light.
The north rose
The north rose, from the late 13th century, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary; its tracery is of great purity. It is the finest expression of
Rayonnant Gothic.
It bears witness to great mastery in the art of cutting stone (stereotomy). The iconographic programme is strongly
biblical. Alongside the apostles and evangelists appear the prophets and the kings of Judah, recalling the human ancestry of Christ, and the
court of the Heavenly Jerusalem singing the glory of the Lord. The evangelists appear in the four corners.
View
The west rose
The west rose: two centuries separate it from the transept roses. The Lamb at its centre, lying on the Book with seven Seals, takes up the theme of the Apocalypse of Saint John. Everything sets them apart: design, iconography, colours. Its delicate Flamboyant tracery undulates in curves and counter-curves, forming a spray of petals shaped like wavy flames in the most varied hues, which blaze in the setting sun. While the angel musicians glorify the Lamb of the Apocalypse at the centre, heraldry is everywhere, with the coats of arms of the monarchy and of the great princely families of the kingdom. View
