Basilica of St Michel

The Basilica of St.Michel is an exuberant Gothic church in Bordeaux, France. The church has been recognized in the Inventory of Historic Monuments(1846), minor basilica (1903) and UNESCO World Heritage Site (1998). It is a highly unique design featuring a cruciform church and a bell tower.

This church is considered to be the city’s tallest building and the second-tallest church in France. The bell tower and the crypt are open every day for tourists and other people. From the late 18th century until 1990, the bell tower crypt was used as a demonstration space to showcase an assemblage of gruesome mummies that were found in a nearby cemetery. The ceilings are entirely painted in the style of baroque due to which the interiors look colourful and appealing though the individual paintings may appear to be insignificant. The pulpit of the church portrays Saint Michael massacring a dragon while Couturat designed the central stained glass. The Gothic style architecture is exquisite and enhances the appearance of the church. The basilica was constructed between the end of the 14th century and the 16th century. It is at the core of the ancient quarter of St.Michael.