Saint-Hilaire Church

Melle, France

The church of Saint-Hilaire was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. The Romanesque church was built in the 12th century to the site of older wooden building.

Address

Rue du Pont Saint-Hilaire 12, Melle, France

See all sites in Melle

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Celles-sur-Belle Abbey (6,5 km)

Musée Sainte-Croix (55,3 km)
Palace of Poitiers (55,3 km)
Notre-Dame la Grande (55,4 km)
Château de Niort (26,9 km)
Poitiers Cathedral (55,4 km)
Abbaye aux Dames (64,3 km)
Saintes Cathedral (64,7 km)
Arch of Germanicus (64,4 km)
Basilica of Saint-Eutrope (65,2 km)

User Reviews

Merry Michael (18 months ago)
Beautiful Romanesque church inside and out. The overhanging narthex gives an impressive image of the whole. Beautiful stained glass windows but the contemporary heart really spoils the whole thing, too bad.

Steph Grollier (2 years ago)
Top.

David Cameron (5 years ago)
Most unusual layout for a church, lower alter than entrance. Beautiful town. Very pretty architecture. Fascinating history.

francette livreau (6 years ago)
Reel

Peter Wilson (6 years ago)
A beautiful and historic old church set on the slope of a valley with a modern altar setting which is unusual. The landscape setting with a small river running through it is in a contemporary French style. There are one or two nice houses and gardens above the church that are good to look at. Cross the road below the church and walk back up to Melle through elegant old streets.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

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Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

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