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Church · Bayonne, Nova Aquitânia
Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne
The Gothic cathedral of Bayonne, with the two pointed towers visible from afar, Renaissance stained glass and one of the largest cloisters in France, a World Heritage site for the Routes of Santiago.
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 Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne
The cathedral of Sainte-Marie stands atop Grand Bayonne, on the site of a Romanesque church destroyed by fires in the 12th and 13th centuries. After the fire of 1258, the city called a master builder from Champagne, and the new cathedral was erected in the Gothic style, with the apse and ambulatory inspired by northern French cathedrals. The nave was completed in the early 15th century, and the two spires of the façade were only finished in the 19th century, in a restoration led by Émile Boeswillwald.
Inside, the high nave and the seven chapels around the choir preserve stained glass from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. The oldest and best-known, dated 1531, is in the chapel of Saint-Jérôme. The chapel of Saint-Léon houses the saint's reliquary, considered the first bishop of Bayonne.
On the south side is the Gothic cloister, one of the largest in France, with arcaded galleries and medieval tombs. In the Middle Ages it served as a meeting place for residents and guilds. Today it is administered by the Centre des monuments nationaux and hosts exhibitions and concerts. The cathedral is part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998.
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 45 minutes to an hour, including the cloister.
Best time
In the morning, with light streaming through the east stained glass. Avoid mass times to walk through the nave. The cloister has its own opening hours, different from the cathedral's; check before you go.
How to get there
It sits atop Grand Bayonne, about a 5-minute walk from the Nive quays and about 15 minutes from the train station.
Tip
Enter the cloister via Place Pasteur, beside the cathedral. View the towers from a distance, from the Nive riverbank or from Petit Bayonne. In the church, dress modestly and keep quiet during services.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne
When was the cathedral of Bayonne built?
The Gothic cathedral began to be built after the fire of 1258, and the nave was completed in the early 15th century. The two spires on the façade date from the 19th century.
Is the cathedral of Bayonne a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes. It is part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France, inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1998.
Can you visit the cloister of the cathedral of Bayonne?
Yes. The Gothic cloister, one of the largest in France, is managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux and has its own opening hours. Check before you go.