The birthplace of the Gothic style, which is a significant development of the Romanesque towards greater lightness, fantasticism and grace, is certainly France. It first appeared with its distinctive features in the churches of Ile de France around 1150, that is, almost a hundred years earlier than in other countries. Of the three periods of the development of the Gothic style (early Gothic, "radiant," "flaming"), the monograph considers the first, worst of all provided with preserved monuments. Most often, the researcher has to extract elements of early Gothic from under later layers and reconstructions. The book is richly illustrated.