Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rodez

You're standing at Rodez Cathedral, Notre-Dame, the mother church of the local diocese. Start with the west front. Notice anything odd? There's no grand entrance. The lower part is flat and plain, with only narrow slits for windows. That's no accident. This wall once stuck out just beyond the city wall and was part of the town's defences. A big doorway would simply have let attackers in. The whole church is built of red sandstone, which gives it that warm glow. Higher up you'll spot a large rose window, topped by a Renaissance-style gable.