The Top Five Best Sacred Buildings in Toulouse
French Architecture of Spirit in the Midi Pyrenees
Oct 13, 2008
Amongst the hot bustling streets of Toulouse, the lively capital of the Midi Pyrenees, there are many places to find cool refuge and respite from the city. From the stunningly impressive Basilica St Sernin to the quiet cloisters of the Jacobin convent there is enough sacred architectural splendour to revive the spirits of even the most jaded tourist .But if time is short then there are five buildings that should not be missed.
Basilica St Sernin
Place St Sernin 31000 Toulouse
Open Daily 8am - 12 and 2pm - 6pm
Saint Sernin is one of the largest romanesque churches in the world. It was built to honour Saint Saturnin (Sernin), the first bishop of Toulouse ,who suffered a martyrs death in the 3rdcentury for refusing to bow to the pagan idols in the capitole and was dragged through the city by a bull.
It soon became an important stop off point on the road to St Jacques Compostella and was extended in 1060 to accommodate the flow of pilgrims.
Best Bits:
- Vast transepts and spacious ambulatory offers an extraordinary luminous experience.
- Romanesque frescoes
- Superb Reliquary
Convent of the Jacobin
Parvis des Jacobins (entrance from the Rue Lakanal)
05 61 22 39 52 Open Daily 10am - 7pm
Another jewel of meridional gothic art. This was the home of the Dominicans, an order of preaching friars who wanted to combat the Cathar heresy by the power of the word, in 1233 they were assigned the terrible task of the inquisition and the power of the word became only one of the tools at their disposal. In accordance with their new found status they soon decided they required a church and a convent and the work began.
The power and austerity of the massive brick body, the splendour of the nave and the dizzy height of the extraordinary starred vault was finally completed in 1385
Best Bits:
- the Palmiers or palm trees – a series of immense columns which support the ribs of the vault
- The Cloisters – a haven of quiet in the bustling city
- Unusual Hexagonal tiered spire.
Notre Dame de la Daurade
1 Place de la Daurade 31000 Toulouse
05 61 21 38 32 Open Daily 8.30am - 6.30pm
Takes its name from a 5th century sanctuary decorated with golden mosaics. It’s architectural plan was inspired mainly by 17th century roman basilicas and was built as result of the wealth of the pastel trade which they celebrated by building the highest spire in town.
Much of this church was destroyed during the revolution.
Best Bits:
- Renaissance portal embellished with surprising Victorian ceramics
- Black Madonna and child 1807 ( copy of the original which was destroyed in the revolution)
Notre Dame de Taur
12 Rue du Taur 31000 Toulouse
05 61 21 80 45 Open Daily 2pm - 7pm
This imposing Gothic church was built on the site of the first resting place of the remains of St Sernin. Its brickwork façade is more like a fortress than a church and hides the rest of the structure, including the bell tower which became the template for all the bell-towers in the region. A fine example of gothic meridional architecture
Best Bits:
- Incredible gothic façade
- Interesting paintings by Benezet
Cathédral St Etienne
Place de St Etienne 31000 Toulouse
05 61 52 03 82 Open Daily 8am - 7pm
Rather an immense oddity from the exterior – more like two unfinished churches that have been stuck together. The result of 1000 years of effort, it has a strange charm, combining eras and styles in a huge jigsaw of stone and brick.
Construction began in the Romanesque era of the 11th century, developed further in the 13th century in the style of the northern gothic and continued to be added too and developed up until the early 20th century.
Best Bits:
- 14th century stained glass windows,
- The organ loft 18m above the ground
- Carved walnut choir stalls.
Practical Visiting Information:
All the churches listed above are open to the public 7days a week but try and avoid Sundays when most hold services and parts of the buildings may be roped off.
No admission charges - except a nominal donation to the crypts and choir stalls if you wish to visit them.
For further information on guided tours etc contact the Toulouse Tourist Office 05 61 11 02 22
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