Two weeks ago, Papa was contacted to come pick up his French residency card in Auch today. We arrived a bit early, parked, and walked to the Prefecture offices adjacent to Cathédrale Saint-Marie, built as the Palace of the Archbishops of Auch, in the late 1000’s. Papa went to his appointment while I spent time in the Cathédrale. The Auch Bishopric was founded in the 4th century, and an early chapel was replaced in 1120. Built on the foundations of those buildings, the current Cathédrale was started in the 14th century, with construction continuing until 1680. The Auch Bishopric controlled the area from the Pyrenees to Aquitaine, and was quite wealthy. The Cathédrale is built in the flamboyant Gothic style with Renaissance touches. It was restored in the 18th century, and is known for its 18 brightly colored stained glass windows made between 1507 and 1513.
