Bordeaux’s Notre Dame Church is covered from top to bottom with immaculately detailed reliefs. The eye-catching religious imagery and historic setting make the church a popular event venue as well as a religious destination. Inspect the artful masonry of the exterior and the paintings and sculptures housed within the church.
The building was designed by architect Pierre Michel Duplessy, who took inspiration from the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The church was built on the site of a medieval Dominican monastery, which was destroyed in the late 17th century. It hasn't always been a church, however. This site has also been the location of revolutionary clubs, a military warehouse and a library.
Examine the incredible detail of the church's impressive façade and take photos of the bas-reliefs that cover the exterior. Look for sculptures of saints standing on plinths around the main entrance and beneath them, a relief of the Virgin Mary and an arched stained-glass window. Decorative Corinthian columns stand on either side of the main door.
Enter the church building and take a moment to reflect. Notice how the clean lines of the nave contrast with the patterns of the exterior. The altar, surrounded by a marble lining and three paintings depicting the crucifixion, sits in front of an altarpiece alongside impressive sculptures of angels and cherubim. Find paintings by religious artist Brother André along the walls of the church.
Walk beneath the cloisters of Cour Mably, the stone courtyard behind the church. The space is often used for open-air films and concerts. During temporary exhibitions, the courtyard is often used to display sculptures and paintings.
Join local worshippers at the church to observe Mass. The cathedral hosts the services daily and also holds activities for children.
To get to Notre Dame Church, ride the tram to the Grand Théâtre stop. The church is just a 2-minute walk away. Consider visiting some of the other noteworthy attractions nearby while you’re here, among them the Girondins monument and the Palais de la Bourse.
