Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Church · Bordéus, Nova Aquitânia
Basilique Saint-Michel de Bordeaux
Flamboyant Gothic basilica with a separate 114-metre bell tower, the Flèche Saint-Michel, which has a viewpoint over the city and the Garonne.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Basilique Saint-Michel de Bordeaux
The Basilique Saint-Michel is the second-largest church in Bordéus, built between the 14th and 16th centuries in the flamboyant Gothic style. Like the cathedral, it has a belfry separate from the body of the church and is part of the World Heritage as a stop on the Caminhos de Santiago de Compostela.
The bell tower, the Flèche Saint-Michel, is 114 metres tall and is the highest in southern France. The stone spire was completed in 1492, lost its top in a hurricane in 1768, served as a station for the Chappe telegraph in the 19th century and was rebuilt by architect Paul Abadie between 1860 and 1869. There are 230 steps to the viewpoint, from where you can see the roofs of the centre, the Pont de pierre and the curves of the Garonne.
Inside the basilica there are modern stained-glass windows made between 1955 and 1963, a late-15th-century pietà and a sculpture of Santa Úrsula. At the base of the tower, the old crypt served as an ossuary.
Around it lies the Saint-Michel neighbourhood, with old streets, antique shops and cafés on the Place Meynard. There is a food market and an antiques fair (brocante) there, and the Marché des Capucins, the city's large covered market, is just a few minutes away.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes in the basilica and another 45 minutes to climb the spire.
Best time
The climb of the spire usually operates daily from April to October. In the morning the neighbourhood has the market set up; in the late afternoon the cafés on the Place Meynard fill up.
How to get there
Tram A or C to the Porte de Bourgogne stop and about a 10-minute walk. On foot, it's about 15 minutes from the Place de la Bourse.
Tip
The climb is done without reservation, with a ticket office on site, and payment is usually by card only. There is no elevator. Take the opportunity to have breakfast or lunch at the Marché des Capucins.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basilique Saint-Michel de Bordeaux
How many steps does the Flèche Saint-Michel have?
There are 230 steps to the viewpoint. The staircase is narrow and there is no elevator.
Is the Flèche climb open year-round?
It is usually open daily from April to October. Outside that period, check before you go.
Which climb to choose: Pey-Berland or Saint-Michel?
The Flèche Saint-Michel is taller and closer to the river, with views of the Pont de pierre. The Tour Pey-Berland is in the centre, next to the cathedral. If you have time, you can climb both.