Saint-Seurin Basilica

Visit description

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint-Seurin Basilica is one of the cradles of Christianity in Bordeaux. Built on an ancient necropolis, it long served as a powerful collegiate church that rivalled Saint-André Cathedral. Its complex architecture bears witness to the centuries it has lived through, from the Romanesque porch to the Gothic portal.

The tour reveals unexpected treasures such as the 11th-century narthex, a reminder of the building’s Romanesque origins, and the magnificent south portal adorned with allegorical statues. Although the interior has been remodelled, it retains an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and holds precious works of art, including the alabaster pieces in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rose.

Visit plan

Step 1: The western façade

Observe this 19th-century Neo-Romanesque façade, designed to harmonise the church with its older bell tower.

Step 2: The Romanesque narthex

Enter through this 11th-century porch with carved capitals, a remnant of the earliest church.

Step 3: The south portal

Admire this Gothic jewel and its statues of the Church and the Synagogue with blindfolded eyes.

Step 4: The nave

Discover an interior of massive, reinforced piers and transverse barrel vaults—an architectural singularity.

Step 5: The 19th-century stained glass

Look at Joseph Villiet’s colourful windows, which recount the basilica’s legendary history.

Step 6: The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rose

Step into this Gothic chapel to see its exceptional 15th-century alabaster altarpiece.

Step 7: The choir and the stalls

Finish at the liturgical choir with its satirical stalls and its listed gallery organ.