Church of Saint-Urbain

church, Troyes, France

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July 13, 2026

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The Church of Saint-Urbain is a church located in Troyes, France, built in a bold Gothic style. It was likely begun in the 13th century by Pope Urban IV, whose father was a shoemaker from Troyes. The church is a notable example of the Rayonnant style, characterized by intricate tracery and large glazed areas, representing a high point of Gothic architecture. This style emphasized decoration over immense size, with radiating patterns, particularly in rose windows, being a key feature. Saint-Urbain showcases the virtuosity of architects in manipulating tracery and creating layered decorative effects.123

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Western architecture
High Gothic
…of the most complete is Saint-Urbain, Troyes (founded 1262). There, one can see the virtuosity practiced by the architects in playing with layers of tracery, setting off one “skin” of tracery against another.
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…of the most complete is Saint-Urbain, Troyes (founded 1262). There, one can see the virtuosity practiced by the architects in playing with layers of tracery, setting off one “skin” of tracery against another.
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Troyes
The church of Saint-Urbain in bold Gothic style was almost certainly begun in the 13th century by Pope Urban IV, who was a Troyes shoemaker’s son. In the church of Saint-Jean-au-Marché (14th–17th century) on June 2, 1420, Henry V of England married Catherine of Valois, daughter of Charles…
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The church of Saint-Urbain in bold Gothic style was almost certainly begun in the 13th century by Pope Urban IV, who was a Troyes shoemaker’s son. In the church of Saint-Jean-au-Marché (14th–17th century) on June 2, 1420, Henry V of England married Catherine of Valois, daughter of Charles…
Read More