Eglise Saint Nazaire
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Why go
- The Romanesque tripartite nave is the church’s oldest surviving section.
- Stained-glass windows counted among the finest in the Midi.
Don't miss
- Central choir windowDated 1280, it depicts scenes from the Passion of Christ and is among the oldest in southern France.Choir
- Apse windowsSome retain original glazing from the 14th and 16th centuries.Apse
- North portalFive receding Romanesque arches frame two doors.North wall
- OrganIt has 40 stops across four manuals and a pedal. The central section of its case probably dates to the mid-17th century.Church
- Bishop’s tombDated 1266, it shows a small reclining figure and a group of mourners.Church
Interesting facts3
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59 metres
The interior measures 59 metres long, with a 16-metre nave and a 36-metre transept.
Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus - Wikipedia -
Despite its ancient appearance, the crypt dates from the cathedral’s medieval rebuilding.
Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus - Wikipedia -
The church and town historically lay on a branch of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Basilika St-Nazaire-St-Celse (Carcassonne) - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
It remained Carcassonne’s main religious centre until the 18th century. Builder-bishop Pierre de Rochefort financed much of the decoration and completion of the vaults.
- 6th c.A bishop’s church may have stood on the site by the 6th century.
- 12th c.The cathedral was completed in the first half of the 12th century on the site of a Carolingian cathedral.
- 1209A siege damaged the church complex. Some chapter buildings were dismantled for stone to repair the ramparts.
- Late 13th c.The transept and choir were rebuilt in the Gothic style.
- 1637Vitalis de Lestang gave the cathedral a new organ made by Crespin Verniole.
Show all
- 1679–1688Commissioned in 1679, Jean de Joyeuse’s organ was built between 1680 and 1688.
- 1772–1775Jean-Pierre Cavaillé restored and enlarged the organ, adding a positive organ.
- 1801The bishop’s seat moved to Saint-Michel in the lower town, and the church lost cathedral status.
- 1840The church was recognized as a historic monument.
- Mid-19th c.Viollet-le-Duc substantially rebuilt the west façade, north portal and gargoyles.
- 1898Pope Leo XIII raised the church to minor basilica rank.
- 1900–1904The organ was expanded again.
- 1982–1985Barthélemy Formentelli restored the organ.
Sources: Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus - Wikipe… · Carcassonne - Wikivoyage (see) · BASILIQUE SAINT-NAZAIRE - Office de tourisme de… · Basilique Saint-Nazaire-et-Saint-Celse de Carca… · Basilika St-Nazaire-St-Celse (Carcassonne) - Wi… · checked 24 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +33468252765
Questions and answers
What stood here before the present church?
A Carolingian cathedral occupied the site; no traces remain.
Which bishops are buried at Eglise Saint Nazaire?
They include Pierre de Rochefort and Vitalis de Lestang.
What stone was used to build Eglise Saint Nazaire?
Sandstone, including on its exterior facing.
What role did Eglise Saint Nazaire play in Carcassonne?
It remained the city’s main religious centre until the 18th century.
What do the stained-glass windows at Eglise Saint Nazaire depict?
They show scenes from the lives of Christ and his apostles.
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