Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie de Bayonne, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, finds its origins in the fourth century, when Bayonne became episcopal seat. A first Romanesque cathedral was built between 1125 and 1150 under the impulse of Bishop Raymond de Martres, but repeated fires (1199, 1224, 1258) and the Norman lootings and then Sarrasins partially destroyed the building. After the 1258 fire, the Bayonnais engaged a Champagne architect to rebuild the bedside and transept in a Gothic style, marking the beginning of a major architectural transition.

In the 14th century, construction continued westward thanks to the donations of Cardinal Guillaume Godin, with the completion of the nave in 1404. The lower sides were then raised, and the cathedral was almost finished when Bayonne took over the English in 1451. The south tower, begun at the end of the 15th century, was capped in 1615 of a dome in slate. The monument underwent degradation during the Revolution, serving as a hay attic, before being restored in the 19th century by Emile Boeswillwald, a pupil of Viollet-le-Duc, who adjusted the arrows (85 m) and partially modified the cloister.

The cathedral, of Gothic style radiating with Champagne influences, is distinguished by its cross plan, its walk-through with radiant chapels, and a rare empty vault, similar to that of Soissons. The cloister, one of the largest in France (11th century), served as a meeting place for medieval corporations. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 for its role on the roads of Santiago de Compostela, it houses treasures such as the shawl of Saint Leon (IXth century) and Renaissance stained glass windows.

The 19th-century restorations, financed in part by the Lormand bequest (40,000 gold francs), transformed the western facade and incorporated neo-Gothic elements, such as the ciborium of the Carrara marble choir. Work continued in the 20th and 21st centuries, with ravalations, the restoration of stained glass windows, and the redevelopment of the choir to adapt to liturgical reforms. The cathedral remains a symbol of the French-English duality of Bayonne, reflected in its armorial vault keys mixing lily flowers and English leopards.

Among the remarkable elements are the Bayonnaise nave, a keystone of the transept representing a medieval ship with eight sailors and the symbols of the evangelists, illustrating the maritime power of the city. The Jacques bumblebee (2003), a 3.6-ton polychrome bell, and the organ, whose eighteenth-century buffet is classified, bear witness to the rich heritage. The cloister, now managed by the National Monuments Centre, hosts cultural events, perpetuating its historical social role.

Future

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie 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 the Way of Soulac (or way of the coast or way of the English) which departs from Soulac-sur-Mer in France and ends in Irun in Spain.

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