Despite the whole principality became a protestant region, the cathedral remeined Catholic, and the Cathedral chapter consisted of Catholic and Protestant members unitl it was abolished in 1810.

Over the course of many centuries, the cathedral grew from a simple Carolingian church to a monumental basilica.

The High Gothic nave and its large tracery windows inspired a number of other buildings.

During World War II, the church was almost completely destroyed by an aerial bombing conducted by US Army Air Force B17s on 28 March 1945.

From Rome in the 8th century the remains of St. Gorgonius were translated by Saint Chrodegang, Bishop of Metz to the monastery of Gorze in Lorraine.