Find out about the history of this church, which was ransacked, burnt down and eventually demolished and then rebuilt in honour of a saint whose tomb lies beneath.
The Saint Martin Basilica is a 19th-century church with a neo-byzantine design in the heart of Tours. It stands on top of the tomb of the saint after whom the church is named. The basilica was a popular site for pilgrims on their way to Spain in the Middle Ages.
Gaze up at the domed roof and capture photos of the majestic structure with its arched windows and intricate details. Enter the church to see the rows of columns and arches to either side of the nave.
Look around the Renaissance cloister, which dates back many centuries, after surviving from a previous church. Gaze up at the two Romanesque towers that have been standing since the Middle Ages. The Clock Tower is another remnant from an earlier age.
Make your way across the street to the Saint-Jean Chapel for a chance to look through the St. Martin Museum. Learn about the history of the basilica through its various exhibits.
The basilica is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, who was bishop of the area during the 4th century. Marvel at the pretty stained-glass windows that portray his legend of the cloak, when he offered half of his garment to a freezing beggar. Descend into the dark crypt to find the sarcophagus of St. Martin. The walls are decorated with hundreds of engravings of ritual prayers.
French architect Victor Laloux built the basilica to replace an earlier version from the Middle Ages that was destroyed during the French Revolution.
The church opens daily year-round from morning until evening. It remains open even later than usual in summer. There is no fee to enter.
The Saint Martin Basilica is next to many of Tours’ main highlights in the center of the city. Nearby, you will find the Opéra de Tours, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Companionship.
