[Illustration: THE SCREEN LOOKING TOWARDS THE CHOIR.]
The interior of S. Étienne is no less singular than the exterior. The side aisles are nearly as high as the nave, and have enormous windows. The shafts which support the vault of the nave are of great height, and the bays are of the same elevation as the side aisles. Above these bays is a clerestory, the windows of which are as broad as they are high, with depressed pointed arches. In order to diminish the enormous height of the bays, the architect conceived a curious device. At about one-third of the height of the shafts he has thrown a depressed arch from pillar to pillar, which forms an elevated passage round the church. It is arrested at the transepts, but taken up again round the choir. The passage encircling each pillar is just wide enough to enable a person to walk. These _tournées_, as the old records call the gallery, and the splendid _jubé_ form a distinctive feature of the church. On the side of the nave the _tournée_ has an open pilaster balustrade, and at the entrance of the choir it joins the _jubé_. On each side of this is a spiral staircase leading up first to the _jubé_ and then, a second flight to the choir gallery, the former being formed of a single flying-arch supported by two pilasters. The whole screen is ornamented with rich carving; an Angel with palm leaves is in each spandrel, and above all is a huge crucifix, completing this beautiful and original specimen of French Renaissance, the only _jubé_ which has survived the 17th century restorations. It was the work of a celebrated sculptor named Biart (_père_). Upon each side of it is a doorway, surmounted by a sitting figure, listening to the chanting of the Gospel. _Ascende qui evangelizas Sion. Audiam quid loquatur Dominus meus_, are the words upon the right. At the left: _Quam dulcia faucibus meis eloquia tua. Levavi manus meas ad mandata tua._
The pendant bosses of the nave and crossing are exceedingly rich in ornament--garlands of flowers, Angels' heads, the Symbols of the Evangelists, rosettes, and armorial bearings. The central boss of the transept falls 18ft., and has for ornament Angels playing instruments, the emblems of the Four Evangelists, and a Lamb encircled with thorns and bearing a crown.