Basilique Saint-Seurin de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Basilique Saint-Seurin de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

The oldest church in Bordeaux, the Saint-Seurin Basilica is a 6th century minor basilica on Place des Martyrs de la Resistance.

The oldest church in Bordeaux, the Saint-Seurin Basilica is a 6th century minor basilica on Place des Martyrs de la Resistance. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 'Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France', which comprises pilgrimage routes noted for promoting religious and cultural exchange during the later Middle Ages. The first building was destroyed in Norman invasions, and the current imposing building is from the 11th century, built in austere Romanesque style with Gothic elements added in the 13th century such as the monumental portal of St Seurin on the south façade with scenes of the Resurrection and Last Judgement on the tympanum. It is flanked by 2 blind arches, and has 14 statues carved on the jambs depicting the Apostles and the Church. In the 15th century, the altarpiece illustrating the life of Saint Seurin and the legend of Saint Martial, some of the choir stalls as well as the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Rose were added. Below the high altar is the sarcophagus of St Seurin.

One of the oldest relics in Bordeaux, the 4th century crypt has marble tombs of the Merovingians and the cenotaph of St Fort. The church was once home to a precious relic, the ivory horn of knight Roland, but it was lost before the French Revolution.