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Church · Conques, Occitânia
Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques
The Romanesque abbey church built from 1041, a model for the great pilgrimage churches of the Caminho de Santiago, with the tympanum of the Last Judgment and stained-glass windows by Pierre Soulages.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques
The Abadia de Sainte-Foy is the raison d'être of Conques. The church was built from 1041 to receive pilgrims and to house the relics of Sainte Foy, a young martyr venerated since the Middle Ages. It is considered the prototype of the great pilgrimage churches, like Saint-Sernin in Toulouse and the cathedral of Santiago, and is part of the World Heritage as a monument of the Caminho de Santiago routes in France.
The best-known feature is the tympanum of the west portal, with the Last Judgment carved in blocks of yellow limestone: there are 124 figures in three bands, with Christ in the center, the saved to his right and the condemned to his left, and traces of the original paint still remain.
Inside, the church is tall and sober, with about 250 sculpted capitals and galleries through which pilgrims circulated. The stained-glass windows, created by Pierre Soulages, an artist born in the region, between 1987 and 1994, let through a clear, varied light without strong colors.
The abbey is cared for by a community of Premonstratensian canons who welcome pilgrims. In season there are usually guided visits to the upper galleries and evening presentations.
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 1 hour for the tympanum and the interior.
Best time
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, before and after tour groups. The afternoon light on the façade helps to reveal the details of the tympanum.
How to get there
It is located in the center of the village, about a 5-minute downhill walk from the parking at the entrance.
Tip
Spend a few minutes in front of the tympanum looking for the scenes: Christ, the procession of the saved and the figures of hell. Inside, watch the light from Soulages's windows at different times of day.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques
What does the tympanum of Conques show?
The Last Judgment, with 124 figures in three bands: Christ in the centre, the saved on one side and the condemned on the other.
Who made the abbey's stained-glass windows?
Pierre Soulages, an artist born in the region, between 1987 and 1994, together with the glazier Jean-Dominique Fleury.
Who was Sainte Foy?
A young martyr from the early centuries, whose relics were brought to Conques in the Middle Ages and attracted pilgrims from across Europe.