Paris, France The Great Mosque of Paris is one of the grandest mosques in Europe. Like the old mosques of Britain, it too is a record-holder, being the largest mosque in Europe outside of Spain and the Balkans. It is also one of the major mosques of the colonial era, and was built to honor Muslim soldiers who served in the French armed forces during World War I. Because of … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF CLERMONT-FERRAND
Clermont, France The city of Clermont-Ferrand in Central France was the site of one of the most important moments in the history of the Church. Prior to the Second Council of Clermont in 1095, Catholicism and the Papacy were purely religious entities, though with enormous influence over Christian Europe. After the council, the Church was transformed into a major world power … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF SAINT-PIERRE-AUX-NONNAINS
Metz, France Of all of the great Catholic pilgrimage destinations in northwestern Europe, few have a history that can compare with the Basilica of Saint-Pierre-Aux-Nonnains. One of the only fully intact Roman-era buildings in Europe still standing, the basilica has served as a spa, a Benedictine chapel, a royal mausoleum, a church, a warehouse and a concert hall. It is also … [Read more...]
PLACE DE VIEUX MARCHE
Rouen, France Throughout much of the 14th and the first half of the 15th centuries, the history of France was synonymous with the Hundred Years War. Following a series of disastrous military defeats, much of France was occupied by England and its continental allies. Initially a struggle over the monarchal succession, the war took on the tone of a religious crusade in 1429 AD … [Read more...]
CATHEDRAL OF TROYES
Troyes, France The magnificent Troyes Cathedral is in good company with the great cathedrals of the cities of Central France, and for this it can be somewhat overlooked. It does not have a long association as a pilgrimage cathedral. Its primary relic, that of Bernard of Clairvaux, was not interred here until the late 18th century; and it is not located along the major … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF ST. DENIS
Paris, France The Basilica of St. Denis is the most historically and religiously important church in Paris, though far from the most famous, thanks to Notre Dame. Originally part of an abbey complex, the basilica later became the burial site of St. Denis, the first bishop of Paris. Perhaps more importantly, it would also become the official burial site of most French … [Read more...]
BASILICA OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS
Tours, France The current Basilica of St. Martin of Tours is, depending on how you count, at least the sixth church built over the tomb of this popular French saint. Martin, along with his contemporary Hilary of Poitiers, was instrumental in the establishment of Christianity in Western Europe, as well as halting the spread of Arianism. The current incarnation of this church … [Read more...]
CHURCH OF ST. HILARY THE GREAT
Poitiers, France The Church of St.Hilary the Great was built in honor of the one of the earliest and most important French Christian figures, Hilary of Poitiers, who was pivotal in the spreading of Christianity into Northwestern Europe. Although constructed nearly seven centuries after his death, Hilary’s tomb was moved within, and the church became an important stop on the … [Read more...]
WALLED CITY OF CARCASSONNE
Carcassonne, France Of all of the surviving walled cities in Europe, Carcassonne in Southern France is the undisputed champion. Besting even Avila in Spain and Rothenberg in Germany, there is no other place in Europe, or arguably the world, where the true medieval character of a walled city has been as completely and perfectly preserved as Carcassonne. Standing on top of a … [Read more...]
WESTERN FRONT FORTIFICATIONS (VERDUN, EBEN EMAEL, MAGINOT LINE)
Verdun, France; Eben-Emael, Belgium; Thionville, France The Franco-German border was one of the world’s last heavily fortified frontiers. Long after the Middle Ages were over, and even a century after the armies of Napolean had dismantled many of Central Europe’s greatest fortresses, the region stretching from the Low Countries to the border of Switzerland remained an armed … [Read more...]
