The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Daurade:
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Daurade is located on the banks of the Garonne River, and it stands majestically.
It's distinctive feature is taht its entrance is composed of whitecolumns, which contrast with the rest of the building that is of a typically Toulouse architectural style.
You can see it in the two photos below.
Thanks to the city hall, it underwent a significant renovation project two years ago.
You will see, it is full of suprises, it not to be missed.
It's name comes from our regional language, Occitan " DAURADA" which means golden.
After a Roman tempel, there was a Wisigothic buildind covered in gold.
The Basilica was built in the 18th century and it displays a heavy pediment on pillars.
The ashes of the poet " Pierre Goudouli", transferred by the Floral Art Academy, are in the basilica.
The Basilica:
It was listed as a historical monument in 1963.
In the 9th century, it was incorporated into a Benedictine Monastery.
In the 11th century, it was extented by a Romanesque nymph, and in 1977 a cloister was built.
In 1760, the dome was built and in 1761 all the Romanesque part was demolished because it was threatening to collapse.
In 1764, a project to redisign the docks was enacted, it will be carried out by the architect Saget.
The project is ambitious, the Basilica is replicated but reversed, so heart is built on the transept.
It was consacrated in 1836 and elevated to a basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1876.
It was completed in 1883.
The black virgin:
The particularity of the basilica is that is houses a black virgin.
The worship is dedicated to pregnant women.
It was burned during the French Revolution and was rebuilt in 1807.
It measures 2 meters in height. It has numerous different dresses, many of which have been created by high fashion houses.
One of the dresses was created by " Jean-Paul Gautier ".
To ensure that the Virgin does not always wear the same dress, they are regulary changed.
The crown of the Virgin, as well as that of the Child, are classified.
The organ:
There are 2 organs, one on the gallery which is classified as a historical monument and one in the choir.
They participate in the Toulouse Les Orgues Festival.
The gallery:
It is called the Chapel of the Angels.
The altar and the tabernacle are made in marble. There are two statues, on the right is Saint Joan of Arc and on the left is Sainte-Germaine de Pibrac.
You can also see a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The ceramics are made by Gaston Virebent.
The magnificent special feature of basilica is that it is completely covered in painted murals, from the walls to the ceilling.
There is a painting of the Virgin's heart and one depicting the Stations of the Cross.
The basilica by night:
The Church of la Dalbade:
It is located in the Carmes neighborhood.
It is typical of Southern Gothic architecture.
In the 15th century, a violent fire ravaged the neightborhood, and even the church did not escape. The reconstruction took place in the 16th century, and it retained the name of La Dalbade.
The bell tower is the work of " Nicolas Bachelier ", dating back to 1551.
In 1881, to showcase ecclesiastical power, the bell tower reached a height of 80 meters, making it the highest point in the city.
In 1926, it collapsed, killing a baker couple and causing damage to the neigtboring houses.
The outside:
The church has the appearance of a medieval fortress with few openings.
On the facade, you can see a tympanum of the Italian Renaissance Type. (Photo on the right)
It is made of ceramic representing the coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico, created by " Gaston Virebet " in 1874. The porta itself dates back to 1537.
Inside:
It was restored in 1926 after the collapse of the bell tower. In contains several statues of Mary.
The heart:
There is a work, the Nativity of the Virgin by " Jean-Baptiste Despax", which is classified.
The stained glass windows:
They depict scenes dfrom the life of Mary.
the Orgal:
In 1849, it was built by " Prosper Antoine Moitessier" and includes 46 stops, 3 keyboards, and a pedalboard.
it was oerfectioned in 1888 by the Toulouse native, " Eugène and Jean-Baptiste Puget" and has 50 stops.
In 1927, after the collapse of the bell tower, " Maurice Puget" restored the organ. It is classified as a historical monument.
The Church La Dalbade by Night:
You have a very nice tapas bar to admire the exterior of the Dalbade church.
The Saint-Exupère Church:
It is located in the Grand Rond meighborhood, on Allée Jules Guesde.
Built in 1620, it wax inaugurated in 1623. In 1807, it was renamed Saint-Exupère after the bishop of Toulouse from the 9th century. It was classified as a historical monument in 1974.
The outside:
The plans were made by " Didier Sansonnet". The statues present on the facade are the work of " Gervais Drouet" in 1658. it has a typical Toulouse architecture and its flat and rounded bell tower is particularly noticeable.
inside:
The Christ behind the tabernacle and the wooden statues of " Saint-Louis Bertrand" and " Rose de Lima" are from the 17th century and were created by " Thibault Maitrier".
The paintings in the cloirs date back to 1838. Numerous paintings adorn this church, including the famous Tracian Sibyl.
the nave:
The interior is decorated with 17th century plasterwork and painted canvases from the 17th and 18th centuries. The entire ensemble is listed as the historical heritage site.
The Orgal:
It is notable for is 27 stops, 3 manual keyboards with 56 notes each, a pedalboard and 1 500 pipes.
Yoy will notice the beautiful marble columns that support the structure.
Comme and stroll around and listen to the organ.
The songs That are played on it are not always very traditional or religious.
It dates back to 1887 by " Théodore Puget". It is the Baroque style, with its musical cherubs, flower pots, and carved foliage friezes.
It has been classified as a historical monument since 2011.
The Church of the Taur:
Unfortunately, it is currently closed for renovation. It is located 12 bis Taur Street 31 000 Toulouse.
It was built between the 14th and the 16th centuries.
It is was southern Ghotic architecture. Its particularity lies in its bell tower, which is a characteristic feature of the region and is designed as a wall tower.
It was built on the site where Bishop Saturnin was martyred by the Romans.
It has been classified as a historical monument since 1840.
Outside and inside:
Its bell tower is a wall tower aligned which the facades of the surrounding houses. It reaches a height of 40 metres.
the tower is composed of two levels, framed by turrets, and topped with a triangular pediment.
The corillon comprises 13 bells dating back to the 15th century. The portal is in the Gothic style from the 14th century. It is framed by two niches that house statues.
It xaw enlarged in the 15th century with two triangular side chapels. in the 17th century, the walls of the nave were covered with woodwork, and a magestic bench was installed on both sides of the nave.On one wall, you can see a painting of the martyrdom of Saint-Saturnin dating from 1825.
On the facade wall, there is the organ, manufactured between 1878 and 1888 by the Toulouse-based compagny Puget.
It underwent renovations in 1992 and 2017. In the 15th century, the choir was constrcted, ans in 1970 a new altar was dedicated following the reforms of VaticanII. The Church houses relics of Saint-Saturnin.
The organ:
It consists of 40 stops with three keyboard and a pedalboard, built by Puget.
It has been classified as a historical monument since 1987.
The Saint-Nicolas church:
It is located in the Saint-Cyprien neighborhood, at 36 Grande rue Sian-Nicolas 31 000 Toulouse.
Outside:
It was dedicated to the patron Saint of those who fear water and shipwre.
Indeed, it is quite ironic considering that the Saint-Cyprien neighborhood itsel was a victim of the largest flood ever recorded.
There were hundreds of deaths during the flood.
In 1300, it was rebuilt in a regional Gothic style, and its octogonal bell tower, in the Toulouse style, shares similar characteristics with that of Saint-Sernin Church.
The tympanum depicts the " Adiration of the Magi" dating back to the 15th century, which the presence of the Virgin Mary.
The nave:
The church is built in the regional Gothic style and was constructed by " Jean Constantin" in the 15th century.
Many of the paintings inside date back to the 19th century. Notably, there are six ferscoes depicting the life of Saint-Nicolas from 1891 to 1894.
The Heart:
The decoration of the Church date back to the 18th century.
The altarpiece, created by " Etienne Rossat" and the painter ' Sébastien Despax", is comosed of marble columns and a painting depicting the " Apotheosis".
The organ :
The organ built by " Callinet" in 1845, features three manual keyboards and a pedal board. it is classified as a historical monument, recognizing its artistic and historical significance.
Church Saint-Nicolas by night :
Here are some typical exemples of churches in the region:
That's all for today.
I wish you a good read.
Welcome in Toulouse.
The Blog from Toulouse.
Greetings Franck.
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