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Origin and history

The Basilica of Saint Eutrope of Saintes, founded in 1081 under the impulse of William VIII of Aquitaine, is consecrated in 1096 by Pope Urban II. This Romanesque sanctuary, dedicated to Saint Eutrope, the first bishop and martyr of the region in the 1st or 3rd century, becomes a major step on Via Turonensis towards Santiago de Compostela. Confed to the abbey of Cluny, it houses a crypt sheltering the tomb of the saint, attracting pilgrims since the Middle Ages.

The building, a masterpiece of Saintongese Romanesque art, incorporates Gothic elements such as the 15th century arrow, financed by Louis XI and culminating at 80 meters. His nave, destroyed in 1803 for reasons of age, once formed a unique device with stairs connecting the high and low churches. The basilica, classified as a Historical Monument since 1840, was erected as a minor basilica in 1886 by Leo XIII and registered with UNESCO in 1999.

The crypt, one of the largest in Europe (35 m long), preserves a 6th century monolithic cenotaph and carved Romanesque capitals. The upper church, rebuilt after arson in 1983, houses 19th and 20th century stained glass windows and restored furniture. The adjacent prioress, closed to the Revolution, saw his archives burned in 1793, leaving only a few remains.

Saint Eutrope, the legendary evangelizer of the Saintonge, allegedly suffered martyrdom for converting Estelle, the daughter of a Roman governor. His relics, desecrated during the Wars of Religion, were partially saved: his leader, preserved in Bordeaux, was restored in 1602 after a solemn procession. The sanctuary, linked to the dynasty of the Dukes of Aquitaine and the kings of France like Alphonse de Poitiers, embodies an exceptional religious and artistic heritage.

The architecture combines a low church vaulted with ridges and a high church with an imposing transept (42 m long). The facades, decorated with arches and foothills-columns, illustrate Saintonge's Romanesque style. Historic capitals, such as the Weighing of souls or Daniel in the lions' pit, bear witness to a refined sculptural art, mixing religious symbols and fantastic motifs.

Ranked among the first Historical Monuments of France in 1840, the basilica underwent major restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries. In 2021-2022, modillons representing the Covid-19 pandemic were added, perpetuating a medieval tradition of updating decors. Today, it remains an active place of worship and a unique testimony of the Jacquarian and Clunisian history.

Future

The Basilica of Saint Eutrope is one of the 71 monuments and 7 portions of paths have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998 under the official title of "Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France".

It is on the way to Via Turonensis or "Voice de Tours" which starts from the Saint-Jacques Tower in Paris.

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