Eglise Saint-Michel
ChurchHidden Treasure
Eglise Saint-Michel, located in Bordeaux (Gironde), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Church
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Bordeaux, Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 44.8344, -0.5650
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00083172
A jewel of Bordeaux Flamboyant Gothic, Saint-Michel displays three magnificent naves and a detached bell tower among the tallest in the South-West, watching over the left bank of the Garonne since the 15th century.
History
In the heart of the popular and cosmopolitan district of Saint-Michel, just a stone's throw from the quays of the Garonne, the church of the same name stands out as one of the great achievements of flamboyant Gothic architecture in Aquitaine. Its slender spire, rising to over 114 metres, dominates the tiled roofs and bustling markets of the district, serving as a beacon for travellers and pilgrims for five centuries. More than just a religious building, Saint-Michel is a living monument, deeply rooted in the daily lives of the people of Bordeaux. What makes Saint-Michel truly unique is its unique plan: the spire rises from a lantern tower that is completely detached from the body of the church, like an Italian campanile transposed into French Gothic vocabulary. This feature, rare in the south-west, gives the church a silhouette that is immediately recognisable from the heights of the right bank and from the Garonne itself. The interior, with its three strikingly high naves, is bathed in light filtered through large windows, some of which date back to medieval times. A visit to Saint-Michel is an experience that engages all the senses. On the outside, visitors will discover a richly sculpted façade, with portals adorned with Gothic figures, while pinnacled buttresses punctuate the side elevations with an elegance characteristic of the flamboyant period. Inside, the silence contrasts with the bustle of the flea market that sprawls across the square every weekend, as if time has superimposed the centuries without confusing them. The Saint-Michel district, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Bordeaux, Port of the Moon" ensemble, offers an urban setting of great authenticity. The half-timbered houses, spice shops and lively cafés that surround the church are a reminder that this monument was never a museum, but the beating heart of a popular and diverse community. Photographers, historians, lovers of sacred art and the simply curious can all find something to do here at any time of day.
Architecture
Saint-Michel church belongs to the Flamboyant Gothic movement, the ultimate expression of French medieval Gothic, characterised by its flame-shaped curves and counter-curves, complex infill networks and profusion of ornamentation. The building has a three-nave plan, a classic feature of large urban collegiate churches, with high aisles that give the whole an impressive verticality. The central nave, covered with ribbed vaults and tiercerons, rises to a considerable height, creating a luminous interior space enhanced by the large glass windows in the side chapels. The most striking architectural feature is the bell tower, detached from the western façade. At around 114 metres high, this polygonal spire with hooks and gables is one of the most imposing in south-west France. Its construction in blonde limestone from the region, typical of Bordeaux architecture, gives it a warm hue that varies according to the light. The church's portals are adorned with Gothic sculptures depicting hagiographic scenes and figures of saints, several of which were partially reworked during the 19th-century restorations by Paul Abadie. The pinnacled buttresses, gargoyles and flying buttresses that punctuate the exterior elevations create a lively silhouette, characteristic of the southern flamboyant style. The underground crypt beneath the tower is a special place, whose dark atmosphere and natural conservation properties have left their mark on the local imagination for centuries.
Related Figures
Paul Abadie — architecte bordelais du XIXe siècle, auteur de la restauration de Saint-Michel et futur concepteur du Sacré-Cœur de MontmartreProsper Mérimée — inspecteur général des Monuments Historiques, initiateur du classement de l'église en 1846Michel de Montaigne — maire de Bordeaux (1581-1585), contemporain de l'achèvement de l'édifice et figure tutélaire de la vie intellectuelle bordelaiseViollet-le-Duc — théoricien de la restauration dont l'influence doctrinale a guidé les travaux menés par Abadie sur le monumentLes maîtres maçons anonymes du XVe siècle — artisans et tailleurs de pierre gascons et bordelais auxquels on doit l'essentiel de l'édifice actuel
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Eglise Saint-Michel located?
Eglise Saint-Michel is located in Bordeaux, Gironde department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Eglise Saint-Michel built?
Eglise Saint-Michel dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Eglise Saint-Michel open to visitors?
Eglise Saint-Michel is currently closed to visitors.