History
article | Reading time5 min
In the heart of the capital of the Basque Country, take advantage of the cloister of the cathedral of Bayonne to plunge into the medieval and Gothic Bayonne, take a quiet walk and enjoy the view.
A haven of peace in the middle of the city
Located in the heart of the old city of Bayonne, adjacent to the cathedral, the cloister is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic. A covered gallery overlooking a green space, the complex offers an unobstructed view of the Sainte-Marie cathedral and its spires.
Freely accessible, just a few steps from the city's main shopping streets, the cloister is a haven of peace to be found to recharge your batteries and enjoy a remarkable heritage architecture. An appreciable step aside near the commercial animation of Bayonne.
E. Sander - Centre des monuments nationaux
As time goes by
Built between the 14th and 16th centuries, and then remodeled at the end of the 19th century, the cloister of Bayonne cathedral isone of the largest in France. In addition to its function for the cathedral and the religious authorities, it has been open to the life of the city from the outset, serving as a meeting place for the city council and the inhabitants, or as a forum for the merchants.
The engraved tombstones and the enfeus leaning against the walls of the galleries remind us that the cloister of Bayonne was also an ancient cemetery prized by the high dignitaries of the Church and the great lords.
E. Sander - Centre des monuments nationaux
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1998, UNESCO inscribed the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in France on the World Heritage List: in Bayonne, the cathedral of Sainte-Marie, with its cloister, was distinguished. Since the Middle Ages, these paths have welcomed pilgrims from all over Europe, on their way to Spain to visit the tomb of one of the fathers of the Christian Church: Santiago de Compostela. Come and walk there in your turn.
E. Sander - Centre des monuments nationaux