The Saint-Seurin Basilica Bordeaux was built from the eleventh century on the site of a necropolis founded in the fourth century, with Christian burials, then with a chapel that did not resist the Norman invasions.
Dedicated to the fourth bishop of the city, the Basilica contains the eleventh century classic novel plan and quickly became popular with pilgrims joining Saint-Jacques de Compostela. This is why the choir has quickly raised so that the relics preserved are visible to visitors. In the thirteenth century, the southern gate, topped by a porch pinnacles, is laid.
It is then the primitive necropolis has a monumental entrance Gothic this time, including 12 carved statues of the Twelve Apostles. The eardrums are richly carved. The porch five-sided, however, is later.
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, chapels are appointed: one of them is characteristic of the Gothic style, is dedicated to the Virgin and an altar dedicated in 1444 is located there.
In the early eighteenth century, the restoration works were initiated after the vaults were collapsed. consolidation of the pillars are installed, but the early nineteenth that more substantial revisions are decided: the western facade of the building is restored in a neo-Romanesque style, and a porch portal is high. It is decorated by a sculptor of Italian origin (statues of St. John and St. Peter).
Historic Monument in 1840, the basilica where were invested in the Middle Ages the counts of Bordeaux and dukes of Aquitaine then offers other work: Redevelopment of the choir, building new chapels, installing stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible but also the history of the basilica itself.
Inside, the basilica has a rich furniture and many works of art such altarpieces alabaster or stone pulpit with its canopy (reserved for the archbishop when he had sworn on the relics of St. Seurin) of fifteenth century, stalls formerly assigned to the canons, statues of the thirteenth and fourteenth.
The vast building was recognized in 1998 as World Heritage by UNESCO under the road to St Jacques.
Open every day. Information at +33 5 56 48 22 08.
