Historical Churches (Self Guided), Tours

The beginning of the story of the Basilica of Saint Martin goes all the way back to the 4th Century, when a small chapel was established here. The chapel was dedicated to Saint Martin, who was the bishop of Tours at that time. Destroyed and rebuilt many times since, it was architect Victor Laloux that designed the Roman-Byzantine basilica on the site today.

The first basilica was built in the fifth century over the ruins of an earlier chapel. The basilica was dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and it was erected over his tomb. Alcuin, an adviser of Charlemagne, was appointed Abbot of the monastic establishment of Saint-Martin's, developed as a collegiate church and governed by a community of canons.

The medieval chapel was destroyed in the French Revolution. Only two old towers connected to the medieval chapel are still standing today. Between the years of 1896 and 1924 the present church was built by Victor Laloux in a neo-Byzantine style on the site of the original basilica. The church was dedicated in 1925.

It has been said the exterior design is reminiscent of an old European synagogue. The interior has white stone walls and stained glass windows showing scenes in the life of the Saint. The new, modern crypt of the church holds the remains of Saint Martin.

The Basilica is located in the Tours Old Town. Saint Martin was third bishop of Tours. He is one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints in France. Because of his military experience and his leadership of French Christians, Saint Martin is seen as a protector of France.

The Eglise Saint-Saturnin, nestled on the picturesque bank of the Loire River in Tours, and formerly known as the Carmelite Church (Eglise des Carmes), boasts a rich historical tapestry dating back to its founding in 1473. Its construction was notably supported by King Louis XI. The church stands out for its striking façade, which faces Rue Littré, inviting visitors and worshippers alike into its historically and architecturally rich interior.

The origins of the church trace back to its establishment adjacent to the former Carmelite priory, replacing the original parish church of Saint-Saturnin which was demolished during the Revolution. While no visible remains of the first convent church exist, the current structure reflects the architectural style and religious fervor of the 15th century, particularly evident in the south aisle characterized by ribbed arches and pointed formations. In contrast, the north aisle showcases modifications from the 19th century with its basket-handle vaults, highlighting the architectural evolution over the centuries.

Inside the church, the décor was largely redone in 1864, coinciding with the construction of the north aisle. One of the interior’s most noteworthy features is the choir stalls, originally from Cormery Abbey, symbolizing a significant historical and religious heritage. These stalls not only add to the church's aesthetic but also serve as a physical connection to its monastic past.

Further enhancing the historical ambiance are the stained glass windows installed in 1890, preserving fragments from the Chenonceaux Castle (Château de Chenonceaux), and adding layers of artistic and historical significance. Additionally, the pilasters of the north pillars of the nave, serving as buttresses, are remnants from the church’s initial construction, bridging past and present.

Today, the Eglise Saint-Saturnin not only serves as a place of worship but also as a beacon of local heritage, reflecting centuries of architectural adaptations and religious devotion. Its blend of historical elements from various eras makes it a fascinating site for visitors exploring Tours.

Saint-Julien Church in Tours is a remarkable historic site with origins tracing back to the 6th century. Initially part of a Benedictine abbey, the church is located in Vieux-Tours and is bordered by National Street (Rue Nationale), Anatole-France Place, and Prosper-Mérimée Square. The structure predominantly dates from the 13th century and has been classified as a historic monument since 1840.

The abbey began at the end of the 6th century and evolved significantly until the 9th century, featuring structures like a square tower that remains visible today. It included a cloister, cellars for storing harvests, and a library. Over the centuries, the abbey faced numerous adversities, including destruction by the Normans in 853 and conflicts such as the bitter dispute between the feudal house of Blésoise and the house of Anjou in 1044, which resulted in damage to the church.

The church underwent multiple reconstructions; notably, after a hurricane in 1224 demolished the nave. The rebuilding efforts in the subsequent years gave the church its present form. The French Revolution brought further challenges as the church was repurposed as a stable and a coach house.

Saint-Julien Church showcases a blend of architectural styles resulting from various construction phases. The bell tower, 25 meters tall, likely dates from the 11th-century Romanesque-style reconstruction under Abbot Gerbert. The ground floor of the bell tower may have been modified from its original design, as current observations suggest changes might have been made post-construction.

The abbey's new nave was reconstructed from 1243 to 1259, during a period when Gothic architecture was predominant. Several of the stained glass windows that beautify both the nave and the choir were crafted by Max Ingrand. Additional stained glass in the choir was created by Jacques Le Chevallier. These windows serve as replacements for the original ones made in the 19th century by the Lobin workshop, which were destroyed in the Second World War.

Saint-Julien Church remains an active site of historical and cultural significance in Tours, reflecting a rich history of resilience and adaptation. Its architecture tells a story of centuries of development, destruction, and restoration, making it a profound testament to the heritage of the region.

The Saint-Grégoire des Minimes Church in Tours boasts a rich history woven into its very architecture and use. Initially a conventual church part of the Minim Friars' convent, this site is closely tied to the religious and civic history of Tours. Located near the Lycée Descartes, it stands on what was a major seminary until the French Revolution.

The Minims founded an infirmary in Tours in 1619 to improve medical care for their members. They purchased a large plot in the city and inaugurated it in 1621 with a ceremony attended by Queen Marie de Medici. The church's construction began in 1626 but faced setbacks such as a damaging flood in 1628, which led to architectural changes including the addition of three chapels.

Consecrated in 1635, the church served the Minims until the upheavals of the French Revolution, after which it was sold and repurposed, serving various secular uses including a warehouse and later part of a military command post. In 1856, it was transformed into a chapel for the adjacent Imperial Lyceum, now Descartes High School (Lycée Descartes), a role maintained for over a century.

Declared a historical monument in 1919, the church underwent a significant restoration and revival in 1981 when it was acquired by a local family and given to the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, restoring its function as a place of traditional Roman Catholic worship under its original name.

Architecturally, the church features a Baroque façade and is noted for its interior woodwork, executed between 1677 and 1679, which includes a notable seventeenth-century carved oak canopy. Inside, visitors can find three side chapels, each adorned with altarpieces and statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Anne, and Saint Joachim, enriching its spiritual and artistic heritage. The church is open to visitors during Heritage Days, allowing the public to appreciate its historical and cultural significance in the heart of Tours.

"...not until the cathedral is finished" is an old saying around the city of Tours. It refers to the cathedral of Saint Gatien. The cathedral was dedicated to Saint Gatianus in 1356 but it was the reincarnation of several other churches on the site. The first was dedicated to Saint Maurice and built by Bishop Lidorius in 371.

Lidorius' church burned in 558 and was rebuilt by Gregory of Tours in 590. In 1160 a new structure was erected in the Angevin style. This one burned before it was finished. Work resumed in 1220. Many renovations in different styles were made. The choir and transept used the lower Romanesque structure. Parts were Gothic or Rayonnant.

Further work was interrupted by the Hundred Years War, a long time to wait for the cathedral to be finished. But not to worry, The nave was finished in the 15th century. The two Renaissance towers were erected outside the ancient city walls. The first tower was finished in 1534. The second was put up in 1547.

During the French Revolution, the church was magically changed into a Temple of Reason. Napoleon made up with the Pope, however, and reason was restored and the church became a church again. Major restoration commenced in 1993. The organ and the upper windows were restored. The rose window was completed and a new altar was dedicated in 2018.

The sides of the cathedral are supported with enormous flying buttresses and spires. The north transept has two extra buttresses and a rose window. The window has a bar across its face to provide extra strength.

The nave holds a monumental tomb for the children of King Charles VII and Ann of Brittany. Made in 1506, the Italian-style tomb is of Carrara marble.

Three enormous rose windows of stained glass adorn the west, north, and south ends of the cathedral. The windows were made in the style of the glass artisans of Tours. They admit more natural light and sharpen the images. This permitted more expressiveness in the subjects depicted, creating a three-dimensional effect.

At last, the cathedral is finished. The "wait" is over.

Why You Should Visit:
To be overwhelmed by the craftsmanship of the Middle Ages, especially with the great rose windows. The building arts in this church have been lost, but some things remain.

Saint Peter's Church City is nestled in the heart of the Blanqui-Mirabeau district of Tours. This area, resembling a small village within the city, is uniquely positioned due to its geographical insularity. It is bordered to the north by the Loire River, with significant roadways enclosing the other three sides: Mirabeau Street to the west, Heurteloup Boulevard to the south, and a motorway interchange to the east.

The church is one of the earliest churches in Touraine, with its presence documented as early as the 9th century and known for its consistent proportions since the 12th century. The building underwent significant transformations across centuries—rebuilt in the 14th century and altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. A major renovation in 1965 under Gustave Guérin, a proponent of neo-Gothic architecture, gave the church its present-day appearance with plastered walls and facades, modified windowing on the north side, and a revamped wooden bell tower.

The interior of the church is adorned with polychrome plaster statues, adding a vibrant spiritual dimension to its otherwise stripped-down aesthetic. These statues include depictions of the Archangel Raphael, Saint Peter, and Saint Joachim on the north side, and Saint Michael, the Virgin Mary, and Saint John at the foot of the Cross, as well as Saint Anne and the Virgin Mary on the south side. Notably, Saint Michael occupies a prominent position from the entrance, symbolically linking the church to the nearby chapel of the same name and the Ursuline presence in the area.

Today, the Saint Peter's Church City not only serves as a place of worship but also as a cultural beacon in the Blanqui-Mirabeau district, reflecting the historical depth and architectural heritage of Tours while continuing to be a pivotal community landmark.