Historical Churches Tour (Self Guided), Toulouse

Prominent on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites is the Basilica of Saint Sernin in Toulouse. The church is on the site of an earlier basilica dating from the fourth century. This older Basilica may have had the bones of Saint Sernin, the first Bishop of Toulouse.

The basilica was built in the Romanesque style in the early 12th century. It was a favorite stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela and even a pilgrimage destination in itself. Construction continued over the centuries with many fits and starts. It is estimated to have been at least four major building undertakings.

Viewed from outside, the bell tower over the transept is the most prominent aspect. It is divided into five tiers. The lower three tiers have Romanesque arches and date from the 12th century. The upper two tiers have pointed Gothic arches from the 13th century. There are two doorways to the Basilica, the Comtes Gate and the Miegeville Gate.

On the Comtes Gate is a scene of Lazarus and Dives. Poor Dives is shown in Hell. Above the Miegeville Gate is sculpture of the ascending Christ. The interior of the Basilica is enormous for a Romanesque church. The nave and the aisles are vaulted with buttresses. Below the transept is a marble altar, consecrated in 1096.

In the middle ages churches were equipped with small chapels in the apse. These chapels would hold relics of interest to the pilgrims who were continually filtering in. The pilgrims could gather at the chapels on the sides of the church without disturbing services in progress. In Saint Sernin's there are nine radiating chapels housing relics.

Why You Should Visit:
To see the reemerging of Cathedrals and shrines throughout the centuries is to witness the no-surrender spirit of the Occitan civilization.

Tips:
Generally there is no admission charged but donations are welcome.

Notre-Dame du Taur is a Roman Catholic church steeped in history and legend, situated in the heart of Toulouse. This historic church designated a monument since 1840, lies on Taur Street (Rue du Taur), strategically positioned between the Capitole and the Basilica of Saint Sernin. It marks the spot where, according to tradition, the body of Saint Saturnin, the first bishop of Toulouse and the city's patron saint, was detached from the bull that dragged him to his death—a dramatic act of martyrdom occurring around 250 AD.

The church's name, Notre Dame du Taur, carries rich symbolism from its history. "Notre Dame," linked to Mary, emphasizes its dedication to her after a statue was moved there in 1783. "Taur," reflecting the Latin word for bull, "Taurus," represents Saint Saturnin's martyrdom tool. Initially, Saint Sernin, related to Saturnin, was a crucial stop for pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela, vital in medieval religious journeys.

Constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries, Notre-Dame du Taur showcases the Southern French Gothic architectural style, characterized by its modest, less ornate aesthetics compared to its Northern counterparts. The façade features a cloche-mur (bell tower wall), a common architectural element in the region, flanked by small hexagonal towers and adorned with crenelations.

The church's interior is marked by a single aisle capped with a ribbed vault, leading to a transept that opens into two apsidal chapels at the eastern end. It houses significant artworks, including a 19th-century painting by Toulouse artist Bernard Bénézet depicting the martyrdom of Saint Saturnin and the Glorification of the Virgin. Other notable pieces include a Death of Saint Joseph and additional paintings representing Saturnin's martyrdom, as well as a 14th-century genealogy of Saint Joseph.

Central to the church's spiritual life is the wooden statue of Mary, positioned in the center of the apse, making it a focal point upon entry. This statue, alongside other sacred relics like the Pieta in the north chapel and a statue of Saint Anne in the south chapel, enriches the church's religious and artistic heritage.

The Augustinian Convent, located in the heart of Toulouse, and fronting on Metz Street (Rue de Metz), has a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1269. Originally established for a community of Hermits of Saint Augustine outside the city walls, the convent relocated to its current central location in 1310 after receiving permission from Pope Clement V. This "new" site saw the construction of the convent throughout the 14th century, culminating in the completion of the cloister in 1396.

Despite suffering significant damage during the great fire of Toulouse in May 1463, which necessitated four decades of reconstruction, the convent was rededicated in 1504 and remained a flourishing religious community until its gradual decline over the next few centuries. In November 1789, following the French Revolution, the convent was nationalized, and by August 1795, it was repurposed as the Toulouse Museum of Art.

Today, the convent's architecture is a prominent example of medieval design, featuring a block-size brick building complex. Visitors enter through Rue de Metz, where a small reception area leads to the impressive cloister. This cloister, complete with long rows of double-column pillars, houses a garden and is surrounded by Romanesque galleries, maintaining much of its original splendor.

The museum's collections are housed primarily on the ground floor, with Romanesque and Gothic sculptures from the 12th, 14th, and 15th centuries, as well as period religious paintings. Notable features include ancient gargoyles from the Cordelier's monastery, displayed along the southern section of the cloister, giving visitors a rare close-up view. The central room of the eastern gallery is particularly striking, with tall slender columns and beautifully arched ceilings.

The museum offers a comprehensive display of fine arts in its galleries, enhancing Toulouse's cultural landscape and preserving its historical heritage within the walls of the former Augustinian Convent.

The Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church and it is listed as national monument since 1862. Rumor has it that the cathedral was erected over the remains of a third century chapel built by Saint Saturnin or Sernin. Saint Saturnin was martyred for his trouble but Saint Exuperius honored his memory 150 years later with a cathedral in the same location.

During the French Revolution the cathedral was sacked and reopened as a "Temple of Reason." The inside of the cathedral were unreasonably destroyed and the building was used as a warehouse for scrap iron. By 1802, Napoleon had made up with the Pope, and the cathedral was returned to the Catholic Church. The City of Toulouse made repairs.

The Cathedral is made mostly of brick. The front facing west is made from two unfinished churches from two different times. The oversized buttresses were formed for a choir much higher than the one that was eventually built. There is a bell tower joined with a donjon of fortress-like proportions. The interior of the church is also a source of confusion.

The two sections of the building are not aligned and try to combine two styles of Gothic architecture. A massive pillar stands between the two sections. Stained glass is mainly 19th century, but there is glass salvaged from almost every decade since the 13th century. Still, with all the chaos of its history, the Cathedral is an island of peace.

In 410 the Emperor Honorius allowed the conversion of pagan temples within the empire. And so the Temple of Apollo in the city of Tolosa was converted to Christianity. The new church was the original Notre-Dame de la Dalbade. It was replaced in 541 by another Notre-Dame, which served faithfully until burning down in 1442.

The present Notre Dame also served faithfully without serious incident until 1926, when its tower collapsed, destroying much of the church and killing two unlucky bakers on their way to work. The interior was restored. And then Toulouse had a 15th century church with a 20th century inside. The tower was never replaced, which may be a good thing.

Over the entrance is a renaissance tympanum with a copy of Fra Angelico's Coronation of the Virgin. The second Notre Dame was covered with lime. This resulted in a vision of pure whiteness. Many felt this effect was a tribute to the Virgin Mother. After the fire of 1442 the outside was rebuilt with the red brick of Toulouse. Now it was red outside.

Inside, outside, 15th century, 20th century, red, white, in spite of all this, the church stands. The colorful Italian-Renaissance entrance welcoming all who enter. Apollo would have been pleased.

Notre-Dame de la Daurade is a historic basilica located in Toulouse, with a rich history that traces back to the early 5th century. Originally, the site was home to a pagan temple dedicated to Apollo, which was converted into a Christian church around 410 AD, under the authorization of Emperor Honorius. This transformation marked the beginning of the site's Christian heritage.

The name "Daurade" comes from "Deaurata," referring to the golden mosaics that adorned the church built during the 5th or 6th century. These mosaics, accompanied by inscriptions, indicate that the church initially served the Visigoths who practiced Arian Christianity. The church shifted into Catholic hands after the Visigoths were defeated at the Battle of Vouillé in 507.

By the 9th century, Notre-Dame de la Daurade had become a Benedictine monastery. However, it experienced a decline starting in the 15th century and was eventually demolished in 1761 to facilitate the construction of riverside quays in Toulouse. The site saw further transformation during the French Revolution when the monastery was closed and repurposed as a tobacco factory.

The basilica was historically significant for housing a shrine of the Black Madonna, an icon highly revered in the Christian community. The original icon was stolen in the 15th century, and its subsequent replacement was destroyed during the Revolution. Today's icon, created in 1807, is a replica of the 15th-century Madonna and has been significantly darkened by candle soot over the years, earning it the name "Notre Dame The Black" ("Notre Dame La Noire").

Reconstruction of the current basilica structure took place in the 19th century. The church, along with its notable organ, has been officially listed as a Monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture, underscoring its cultural and historical importance to the region and France's heritage.

The Dominican Order had their first convent in Paris on the Saint-Jacques Street. Jaques of course, means "James" and James in Latin is "Jacobus". So the Dominicans were popularly known as "Jacobins." Saint Dominic founded his order in 1215 in Toulouse.

In 1215 the province of Occitan was home to the Cathars, a christian sect thought to be heretical. Dominic hoped to combat this heresy by establishing a preaching brotherhood of monks. In 1230 the Dominican friars began the construction of a small church in Toulouse from which to preach.

Over the centuries the church grew and expanded. A choir, side chapels and a vaulted roof were added. Saint Thomas Acquinas, a dominican monk who was canonized in 1323, was interred in the church by order of Pope Urban V in 1368. During the French Revolution the remains were moved to Saint Sernin's. They were returned in 1974.

The emperor Napoleon requisitioned the church for a barracks in 1810. The Dominicans had already been forced to leave in 1789. The inside of the church was gutted, floors were put in, stained glass windows destroyed and covered over. Popular revulsion eventually forced the Army to move out in 1861. Restoration began and the church became a museum.

The Church of the Jacobins is in the center of town. Take the metro to the Capitole station and walk west. It is a 5 minute journey by foot. There is a small entrance fee to enter the church.