Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Basilica of Saint Michael of Bordeaux

Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
District	Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bordeaux
Location
Location	Bordeaux, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Architecture
Architectural type	Minor basilica
Architectural style	Gothic
Spire height	114 metres (374 ft)
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Part of Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi)
Inscription	1998 (22nd Session)

The Basilica of St Michael (which is called Basilique Saint-Michel in French) is a beautiful Gothic church in Bordeaux, France. It is known for its special "Flamboyant Gothic" style, which means it has very fancy, flame-like decorations.

This important church is one of three main churches in Bordeaux that are part of a World Heritage Site. In 1998, UNESCO recognized the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France as a World Heritage Site. This includes the Basilica of St Michael, along with the Basilica of St Severinus and the Cathedral of St Andrew. These sites are protected because they are important to history and culture.

History of the Basilica
What to See Inside
- The Pulpit and Stained-Glass Windows
- The Tall Bell Tower
The Discovery of Ancient Remains
Gallery
External Links
See also

History of the Basilica

The Basilica of St Michael was built a long time ago, between the late 1300s and the 1500s. It stands in the very old part of Bordeaux called the Saint-Michel quarter.

Over the years, this church has received several important recognitions:

In 1846, it was listed as an Inventory of Historic Monuments. This means it's a protected historical building in France.
In 1903, it was given the title of a minor basilica. This is a special honor given by the Pope to certain churches.
In 1998, it became a World Heritage Site, as part of the famous pilgrimage routes.

What to See Inside

When you visit the Basilica of St Michael, you can see many interesting features.

The Pulpit and Stained-Glass Windows

The church has a special pulpit, which is a raised platform where a speaker stands. This pulpit shows a sculpture of Saint Michael fighting and defeating a dragon. It's a famous story from Christian tradition. Sadly, the original beautiful stained-glass windows were damaged during a bombing in 1940.

The Tall Bell Tower

One of the most amazing parts of the Basilica of St Michael is its bell tower. It stands separate from the main church building. This tower was built in the 1400s and is very tall, reaching 114 meters (about 374 feet) high! You can visit the tower and climb to the top for amazing views of Bordeaux. It is open to visitors every day from April to October.

The Discovery of Ancient Remains

For many years, there were stories about naturally preserved bodies found near the church.

In 1881, an ancient Gallo-Roman cemetery and underground passages (called catacombs) were found beneath the bell tower. Several bodies that had naturally dried out and preserved were discovered there. These discoveries helped historians learn more about the past of Bordeaux.

According to other historical records, these bodies were first found in 1791. They were discovered in the old church graveyard next to the basilica, which was being cleared out. The remains were then moved to the catacombs. Later, in 1979, these remains were moved again to a different cemetery called the cimetière de la Chartreuse.