church of notre dame la grande

Highly recommend a visit to this cathedral. Hard to find parking, but we lucked out and found a place on the street. It has a great organ and wasn't crowded when we went. We also visited the St-Jean Bapistery across the street. This is wonderful and built in the 4thC. Frescoes still exist from the 12th - 14th centuries. There is a large octagonal baptismal pool where new Christians were baptized by full immersion. We then went to the Musee Sainte-Croix tht is next door. A great day.

If like me, you like beautiful churches, this should be a must visit location. How such beauty could have been constructed so long ago without today's building expertise, never ceases to amaze me.

If you're in the area is probably worth the stop. If you love old churches, then it's the place for you!

This church has been well maintained. The pillars inside are all painted with different designs and colours. The exterior one of the best examples of this type of architecture.

UIn the evening the front of the church is illuminated to reproduced the colorfull walls it was in the middle ages . A must in Poitiers !

Striking as you approach Vienne from across the Rhone, this cathedral has wonderful details. The painted columns many have remarked on, and the carvings on the west door are gorgeous. Many have been removed or destroyed of course, but there are a surprising number left intact with the over all effect truly stunning. I especially liked the birds, dogs and carvings sculpture depicting the natural world. As this cathedral is central to all points of interest in Vienne, it is a natural meet up place. Duck inside even if you aren't a fan of churches and cathedrals-- this one is a special gem.

The best example I have seen of polychromatic (ie painted) columns in a medieval church. Romanesque with barrelled vault and painted choir vaulting. The carving on the west door deserve their renown.

A lovely facade and a fascinating interior. Painted columns and ceiling are unusual to see as often they have been' modernised' over the centuries by removing them. It is central to the town and worth a leisurely visit and look at all the individual paintings and statues. .

The most lovely romanesque building. Well worth a visit be you interested in architecture or you are of a more spiritual bent. One of the best !

The sculptures on the outside are well preserved & very interesting. The inside columns & chancel are stunning.

The church lies opposite the tourist office and attracts attention first of all because of it's stunning romanesque west front, crammed with wonderful statues. It is totally worth going inside, as the interior is beautifully colourful, giving a rare impression of how a medieval church might have been originally when painted throughout. The lighting is subtle, and the effect is quite magical.

An interesting place to visit from the historical perspective. No charge because, of course, it is a church.

We visited the Church of Notre Dame Le Grande end August 2014 in the centre of Poitiers City, opposite the tourist information office. It's beautiful Romanesque church architecture, inside and out, makes it a 'must see'. Poitiers (the old city centre) is very worthwhile.

don't miss the night illumination of the front of the Church at 22:30 each day. The front of the church and all the statues are colored as they were probably originally.

Newly restored, this ancient church built by Eleanor of Aquitaine, is evocative of knights and damsels....not large, but rather squat and endearing, with much of the interior stone pained (touched up in the 19thc, but now nicely faded again). Our half-hour was enhanced by a young cellist practising in the church, the musichaunting and lovely.