Basilique Saint-Michel

Basilique Saint-Michel

Basilique Saint-Michel
4
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles292 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
133
Average
47
Poor
14
Terrible
2

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RaĂşl N
Antequera, Spain2,265 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
Although it is the second most important church in the city it is quite neglected. The bell tower is undergoing restoration, and the surrounding areas are overrun by the easements of the work.

However, the building is not much better maintained. It lacks cleaning and maintenance. The interior, like that of the cathedral, is inconsequential outside the architectural value. Also, as in the cathedral, access to the interior is free, but it is not really worth both visits.
Automatically translated
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia51,050 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
Basilique Saint-Michel is a lovely church whose history goes back to the 14th century. It took up to the 16th century for its construction to be completed, but it was a huge achievement. It is now a world Heritage site but it looks a bit neglected and could do with some renovations. We sat at one of the cafes outside sipping coffee and just watched the beautiful sight. The Bell tower next to it is a tall building over 100 metres, and was built in the 15th century. A lot of history in this place.
Written June 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susana R
Houston, TX160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016
Beautiful vitraux windows at this church. Modern style from 1960, they look like mosaics. The colours and design were wonderful. After visiting the Church, do not miss the food market a few blocks away. There are all kind of cheeses, veggies, meats, fish and a few small places to eat. Also, do not miss a glass of wine at La Brevis au .... and their potato with prociutto!!! almost across from the church! I am glad we visited St Michel.
Written October 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liz S
Bordeaux, France12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Visit or sit outside in one of the nearby cafés to take in all its beauty. Not to be missed! A must.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MVPinBoynton
South Florida1,620 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
We had been trying to find a tower that we had seen from the ship. It looked pretty far away; but not as far as we had walked. At last we found it and we were so glad we did. It was the Basilica of St. Michael, which was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The 374-foot bell tower is what we had seen from the ship. As far back as I could get, I couldn’t get the full bell tower and church together in the photo; but I did do them individually.

The interior is also quite beautiful with the organ and modern stained glass. I am normally not that impressed with modern types of stained glass; but these were very nice.
Written November 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

C R
Evanston, Illinois198 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
Just be careful of the many steps. I tripped on one set of only 2 steps and twisted an ankle which caused problems for the remaining 1.5 weeks of our trip. The stained glass is overwhelming. You can get there from a tram/bus from the Bourse. The church didn't open until 2 pm (1400) so check before you go.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susan B
Orlando46 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Couples
What a shame! This landmark basilica on the pilgrimage route has been allowed to fall into disrepair! It was once beautiful but the area around it is now populated by the homeless and destitute, and the basilica has apparently not been able to raise funds for maintenance and renovation. After going there, we understand why it’s not included on any city tours, You see a side of city life that they don’t want to display.
Written July 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Malarchy
Maseru, Lesotho808 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Solo
Basilique Saint-Michel is a large and historic church in the district of Bordeaux that carries its name. The clock tower opposite is also part of the diocese and the church sits at the edge of a decent sized square.

Saint-Michel does not have the same reputation as Cathédrale Saint-André but in many ways it is a more interesting place. The church was constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries in the Flamboyant Gothic style and has an imposing exterior but a fascinating interior.

The church is special because its history is still there. Various wealthy families and guilds of the area contributed to its construction and there are plentiful signs of the works from previous centuries. It exists on the site of an early Carolingian place of worship.

The main hall of the church is large and powerful in its gothic style. What makes it more interesting are the small areas along the sides which are typically labelled as chapels. These chapels are brimming with history which is available on panels.

In many cases the chapels have histories stretching back hundreds of years, often to the 15th century. The sculptures and artworks are typically of that period so are beautiful if at times a little worn.

Some features are newer such as the mid 19th century organ which is a nice piece but not spectacular. On the other hand the stained glass windows are amazing. Mostly designed by Godin. They may not have history to them but they are stunningly beautiful and tell a series of fascinating visual stories.

The stories of the place are generally well spelled out. There are some large boards filled with historical information. They are only in French but speak of fascinating periods of development of the place. There is probably a little too much information as the placards at times get in the way of seeing the intricate sculpting behind.

One unusual element of this place is the people who were somehow mummified naturally. They haven't been on display for 30 years but their existence is a strange and somewhat spooky tale to take in.

Saint-Michel is not as reputed a religious building in Bordeaux as Saint-André but the difference is that this place revels in its history and tradition whereas the cathedral almost tries to keep it a secret.

Getting to Basilique Saint-Michel is only slightly out of the city centre but is well worth it for the history and iconography on display.
Written April 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve W
79 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2017 • Couples
On the edge of the old city this is a gothic extravaganza on the outside, standing clear in the square. Easy to walk around a view from all angles.
Inside is typical except for the marvellous 20th century windows, some of the best modern stained glass I've seen in Europe. One of the chapels is given over to information both on the glass in the basilica and on the 'modern masters '.
Well worth including on any tour of the city. Marche des Capucins is 5 minutes away.
Written September 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WineMarketingGuide
Fredericksburg, TX54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015
One of the best simple pleasures in the world is to take in the local farmers markets. This one is one of the best. Every weekend, directly at the foot of the incredible Basilique Saint-Michel, a farmers market is brought to the plaza. Saturdays are focused on food, and Sundays on merchandise. Cheese, fresh eggs, amazing arrays of fresh fruit and vegetables, everything you need to create your own simple moveable feast while in Bordeaux. The strawberries are particularly delicious. And my favorite roast chicken is on display, turning on spits and dripping down onto fresh cut potatoes. You can order a leg, a 1/2 chicken, a full bird, or other fowl large and small, and it is sensational. Then a short walk from there to the river or a tram to the park and you have a wonderful Saturday at your disposal.

Sundays the merchants arrive with antiques, books, artifacts, glassware, iron, and other treasures too numerous to name. Great fun to engage the vendors in discussions of how they came to collect their specialties.

The Church itself is beautiful. The tall spire and deep/wide grand hall have been recently cleaned and renovated (perhaps still in certain sections), it is a great expression of period architecture, and construction from the great blocks of stone cut from the quarries in and under St Emilion. The bells peal at different hours with different musical selections. I lived at the foot of this church plaza for a few months, and it has to be said that the sound of church bells on a quiet morning in the mist of a cold winter day is restorative and haunting at the same time. Very peaceful.

Did you know this tower was a prominent point of reference for the Allies when they noted the presence of Nazi submarines stationed nearby?

Just footsteps from Saint-Michel station on the tram/light rail in Bordeaux.
Written December 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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