The Saint-Martin basilica of Tours is famous for its crypt which houses the tomb of Martin of Tours (316-397), who became one of the most important saints of Christendom during the early Middle Ages.
The current building, in the historic center of the city, was built from 1886 to 1924 to replace an old collegiate church built in the 12th century which was robbed during the Revolution, then transformed into a stable and finally demolished afterwards. the collapse of its vaults in 1797.
Only two towers have been preserved: adjoining the new basilica, they bear witness to the importance of the old site, known as one of the largest (110 m long) and important places of religious worship until the Revolution.
Before the construction of the new basilica, a long debate took place between the supporters of an identical reconstruction and those who thought it more reasonable to stick to a more modest plan.
They won. The basilica (in limestone, granite and marble) designed by the architect Victor Laloux presents a Romano-Byzantine style. One notices inside the Romanesque capitals, friezes running in length at the level of the nave and the wall paintings (dome, pediment of the vault).
The choir was raised to house a crypt reconstructing the tomb of the saint which had been found in 1860 and which is still today the object of pilgrimages.
A monumental bronze statue of Saint Martin is installed on the dome. The life of the saint is also evoked on the glass roof with modern graphics but inspired by the novel. The site is protected, as are the towers of the original basilica which have been restored and consolidated.
Open daily. Information on +33 2 47 05 63 87.
