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La chapelle Saint-Martin de Jean-Marie Duthilleul

12 décembre 2017

La chapelle Saint-Martin, conçue et réalisée par l’agence duthilleul pour l’éco-quartier de Monconseil à Tours, a été inaugurée le 26 novembre 2017. Selon Jean-Marie Duthilleul l’ouvrage de 200m² (1,7M€) est «conçu pour envelopper la communauté qui se rassemble autour de l’aménagement liturgique». Communiqué.

Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin, archevêque de Tours, avait exprimé la volonté d’implanter une chapelle au cœur de l’écoquartier Monconseil destiné à accueillir de nombreux nouveaux habitants. La chapelle, visible dans la ville, contribue désormais à la vie de quartier.

Composée de matériaux naturels, l’ouvrage se présente comme une coque de bateau renversée. Le socle et les fondations sont en béton : le reste de l’édifice est conçu en pierre naturelle et en bois.

Inspirée par les travaux du Concile Vatican II, la conception de l’édifice a été guidée par une idée de grande ouverture et de lumière mais, surtout, de rassemblement.

Dans la chapelle, la disposition prévue pour accueillir la liturgie montre par elle-même le mouvement de rassemblement du peuple de Dieu pour former un seul Corps, l’Église, autour de son pasteur représentant le Christ, présent dans la Parole et dans l’Eucharistie. C’est ainsi un plan d’ensemble cohérent que propose Jean-Marie Duthilleul.

La nef unique en forme de mandorle* est éclairée par des fenêtres verticales étroites ouvertes de chaque côté entre des rangées de colonnes de pierre massive. Une voûte étoilée de 164 points de lumière naturelle, équipés de led, éclairent la nuit ;

Le baptistère est à l’entrée de la chapelle, l’autel au centre et l’ambon, table de la Parole, dans le prolongement de l’axe central. Entourant ces tables, trois rangées de bancs se font face et épousent la forme des côtés pour signifier le rassemblement des fidèles. Le tabernacle est solidement ancré dans un socle de pierre tandis que la croix de Gloire représentant la résurrection, devant une large échancrure vitrée de toute hauteur, ouvre à l’est et donne à voir le jardin qui change au rythme des saisons, allégorie du jardin d’Eden.

La chapelle, de taille modeste (200 m² avec la sacristie), peut accueillir 150 personnes au maximum, ce qui participe aussi à la création d’une ambiance intime.

Posée sur deux rangées de piliers de pierre, la charpente en bois est couverte de tavaillons (ou bardeaux) « faits main » en châtaigner de la Sarthe et surmontée d’un clocher central, pointu, de 20m de haut qui rappelle ceux des églises tourangelles.

La pierre, très courante dans les constructions de la région, est employée dans les 39 piliers qui rythment les deux côtés de l’édifice, dressés en pierre de Combe Brune venant de Charente. «Nous avons utilisé une pierre calcaire pour être en cohérence avec la région, elle est plus dense et dure par rapport au tuffeau qui aurait posé des problèmes de durabilité», précise Jean-Baptiste Duthilleul.

« De par la forme de la chapelle, il n’y a pas de tirants permettant de stabiliser la charpente dans la largeur ; c’est un système de post contrainte qui a été utilisé pour assurer sa stabilité, avec l’insertion de tirants de part et d’autre de chaque pilier de pierre », dit-il.

Le baptistère, l’autel, l’ambon et le socle du tabernacle sont taillés dans la même pierre que les piliers et donnent ainsi une grande unité à l’architecture intérieure. La structure du clocher est construite en pin Douglas de la Creuse, pour supporter le poids des trois cloches, et est munie d’abat-son en châtaigner, comme les tavaillons. La voûte est constituée d’arcs en épicéa de Scandinavie et entièrement couverte, à l’intérieur, de panneaux de peupliers blanchis venant quant à eux de la Sarthe.

Le sol en béton blanc lissé présente une légère pente des pourtours vers l’autel, améliorant ainsi la perception de rassemblement. La participation des fidèles réunis sur les bancs en courbe et se faisant face est facilitée. Des sièges encastrés tout autour dans chaque fenêtre verticale complètent la capacité d’accueil de la chapelle Saint Martin de Tours.

Enfin, la croix de Gloire et le chrisme du tabernacle sont dorés à la feuille, le corps du tabernacle et le support de lecture sur l’autel sont en acier patiné.

Les locaux techniques ont trouvé place dans la petite sacristie reliée à la chapelle par un court passage, afin de garder la pureté de l’architecture du lieu de rassemblement et de prière de la communauté.

* Mandorle : figure en forme d’ovale ou d’amande dans laquelle s’inscrivent des personnages sacrés, le plus souvent le Christ mais aussi la Vierge Marie ou les saints.

Les chroniques sont le recueil de faits historiques regroupés par époques et présentés selon leur déroulement chronologique.

L’architecture, au cœur de toute civilisation, est indubitablement constituée de faits historiques et sa chronique permet donc d’en évoquer l’époque. Les archives du site en témoignent abondamment.

En relatant faits, idées et réalisations Chroniques d’Architecture, entreprise de presse, n’a d’autre ambition que d’écrire en toute indépendance la chronique de son temps.

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Chapelle Saint-Martin de Monconseil, Tours

• Cat. : Chapelle
• Siècle : XXI ème
• Lieux : Tours

La chapelle Saint-Martin se trouve dans l’écoquartier de Monconseil à Tours. Elle a été conçue par l’architecte Jean-Marie Duthilleul et a été consacrée le 26 novembre 2017. L’archevêque de Tours, Mgr Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin, désirait cette chapelle afin d’accueillir les nouveaux habitants du quartier. Répondant au cahier des charges de l’écoquartier, la chapelle est réalisée en matériaux naturels, en pierre et en bois, reposant sur des fondations en béton. Elle prend la forme d’une mandorle, a l’autel au centre et a une voûte en coque de bateau renversé. La charpente en bois est couverte de tavaillons faits à la main, et la flèche a une hauteur de 20 mètres. La voûte est percée de petites fenêtres rondes, qui rappelle le ciel étoilé de la Sainte-Chapelle de Paris.

The Saint-Martin chapel is located in the Monconseil eco-neighbourhood in Tours. It was designed by architect Jean-Marie Duthilleul and consecrated on 26 November 2017. The archbishop of Tours, Mgr Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin, wanted this chapel to welcome the new residents of the district. In line with the eco-district’s specifications, the chapel is made of natural materials, stone and wood, and rests on concrete foundations. It takes the form of a mandorla, with the altar in the centre and an inverted ship’s hull vault. The wooden framework is covered with handmade shingles, and the spire is 20 metres high. The vault is pierced with small round windows, reminiscent of the starry sky in the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

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Tours, France: Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours

About saint martin of tours:.

He was the born in 316 AD and was a convert to the Faith. He was first French saint to be canonized who was not a martyr.

He founded the first monastery in France near Poitiers, about 70 miles south of Tours, and was later made Bishop of Tours.

After his death in 397 AD, his body was brought to Tours on a cold November day and the story is told that the sun shone and flowers bloomed, which later came to be called the “Summer of Saint Martin” . Over 2,000 Religious gathered for his funeral. Pilgrimages were held to his burial site at the Basilica in Tours, and it also became a popular resting spot for those making the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela from the Southwest part of France.

We celebrate the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours on November 11 .

About the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours:

His cloak was preserved in a building called a capella, from which our word chapel comes. The original church where he was buried was destroyed during the French revolution but has now been replaced with an even larger one.

In one of of the windows (bay 20) in the Chartres Cathedral , you will find a beautiful window with scenes depicting the life of Saint Martin. He is one of four patron saints of France and has many churches both here and throughout the world named in his honor.

Traveling to Tours:

Tours is about 150 miles Southwest of Paris.  You can book day trips from Paris that include a visit to the Basilica, a wine tasting and more.

Tours is also easily accessible by train from Paris or other major French cities. If you are traveling from Paris, the high-speed TGV trains (from Montparnasse Station) will get you there in a little over one hour, or the regional trains (from Austerlitz station) will take about two hours, so you can actually make this a day trip if you wish.

Get train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here.

The train station is about one-half mile from the Basilica.

Address: 7 Rue Baleschoux, 37000 Tours

GPS coordinates: 47° 23′ 34.1844” N, 0° 40′ 58.8504” E

Tel:     +33 02 47 05 63 87 Fax: +33 02 47 05 23 51

email: use the contact form on their website

Click here for the official website of the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours (in French).

Click here to find hotels & restaurants in Tours, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor

If you are traveling in the U.S. state of Louisiana, we suggest you visit the Church of St. Martin de Tours in Saint Martinsville, Louisiana.

⇐ Back to Catholic shrines and places of interest in France

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The Complete Pilgrim - Religious Travel Sites

Howard Kramer's, The Complete Pilgrim, Religious Travel Site

BASILICA OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS

February 15, 2015 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

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 honoring St. Martin was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making it one of the youngest major Catholic pilgrimage shrines in Europe.  The Basilica’s predecessors were traditionally part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela, though the current church is not included as part of the UNESCO site.

Martin of Tours was a contemporary and acquaintance of the other great French saint of the period, Hilary of Tours.  While Hilary was perhaps more important from a historical perspective, Martin was undoubtedly the more colorful of the two.  Born in Hungary into a family of Roman aristocrats, his father was a cavalry officer, and Martin was brought up to follow in his footsteps.  It is likely that he saw service in battle against the various Germanic tribes that were then harassing Roman territories in Western Europe.

According to tradition, Martin was leading a force near modern-day Amiens in France, when he shared some clothing with a beggar.  He subsequently had a vision of Christ, who recognized Martin’s generosity even though he was at the time still a pagan.  He was baptized shortly thereafter, became a pacifist, left the army and became a faithful Christian.  He served as a disciple of Hilary in Poitiers, eventually became bishop of Tours, founded a monastery there, and became one of the most important champions against heresy in the history of France.

Hilary was the dominant Christian figure in Gaul in the second half of the 4th century, a crucial time when Germanic barbarians were threatening the western frontiers of the empire.  Because of his military service and his ability to rally people under the Christian banner, Martin is often recognized as a protector of France.  After his death, his gravesite in Tours became a pilgrimage destination.  An early chapel was constructed there in the early 5th century.

Because of its popularity, the first chapel was replaced with a larger basilica around 470.  It was replaced by successfully larger buildings in the 11th and 13th centuries.  In 1562 it was sacked and nearly destroyed by Hugenots, restored in the 17th century, and nearly destroyed again in 1793 by Aetheists during the French Revolution.  In 1860, the relic of Martin was rediscovered, and a new basilica (the current one) completed in 1924.

The Basilica of St. Martin of Tours is a relatively young but architecturally stunning church of neo-Byzantine construction.  Unlike the majority of major Catholic shrines in Europe, which are generally older with expansions and renovations, the basilica is almost entirely less than a century old.  Only two older church towers, which are not architecturally integral to the new church, are still standing.  The exterior design is strangely reminiscent of many European synagogues of the period.

The basilica interior is impressive, with white-stone walls, magnificent floor mosaics and stained glass windows featuring scenes from the life of Martin of Tours.  The crypt where the saint’s remains are interred is almost entirely new, with no visible traces of the Roman-era sarcaphogas in which he was originally buried.

The Basilica of St. Martin of Tours is located close to the old city center of Tours, approximately 120 miles southwest of Paris.  It’s geographic proximity to and historic connection with Poitiers makes it a perfect combination visit with the Tomb of Hilary of Poitiers.  The basilica is open daily from 7:30am-7:00pm.  There is no cost of admission.  Web: www.basiliquesaintmartin.com (official website)

Other Sites

Tours is one of France’s classic cathedral cities.  The Cathedral of Tours , with one of the most breathtaking façades in the world, dominates the city skyline.  Several French monarchs are entombed within the cathedral.

About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Tours and Basilica St Martin

Tours, the city of st-martin.

Tours, the former capital of Touraine, suffered extensive destruction during WWII. However, the historical district was meticulously rebuilt stone by stone around the Basilica of Saint-Martin.

Tours is regarded as the cradle of French Christianity and remained under the patronage of French kings for centuries. It was also a focal point of territorial disputes between the French and English during the Middle Ages.

Its history spans over 2000 years.

It began as a Gallic village and evolved into the Gallo-Roman city of Caesarodunum — Caesar’s Hill— a prosperous settlement that extended over 40 hectares. The inhabitants lived peacefully until the barbarian invasions of the 3rd century AD, which led them to demolish their amphitheater to construct a rampart. Remains of this wall are still visible near the cathedral.

Caesarodunum was the center of the Roman province that included the present-day regions of Touraine , Maine, Anjou and Brittany . The city was renamed Turones in 372 AD.

Legend of St. Martin

St. Martin was a Roman legionary who converted to Christianity and became famous for splitting his cloak in half to share with a beggar.

He founded his first monastery in Ligugé in Poitou and became the bishop of Tours in 372 AD. This led to Turones being known as the City of St. Martin.

A talented preacher, St. Martin dedicated his life to converting people, destroying pagan idols and temples, and replacing them with chapels and churches. He later established the monastery of Marmoutier near Tours. He died in Candé near Saumur in November 397 AD.

Following his death, a dispute arose between the monasteries of Ligugé and Marmoutier over his burial place. The monks of Marmoutier stole his coffin at night while the monks of Ligugé slept and transported it back to Tours by boat.

During this journey, an extraordinary event occurred: the trees on the riverbanks miraculously began to bloom in the middle of autumn. This phenomenon, resulting from exceptional mild temperatures that stimulate very early flowering, has since been known as Été de la St. Martin, or St. Martin’s Summer.

A major religious centre under the patronage of the French kings

The Basilica of Saint Martin was erected in 471 AD over the tomb of St. Martin.

Around 496 AD, Clovis , the first king of France, visited the tomb to meditate.

He vowed to convert to Christianity if he won his battle against the Germanic tribe Alemanni . After his victory at Tolbiac and subsequently defeating the Visigoths at Vouillé near Poitiers, Clovis was baptized in 498 AD.

In gratitude for his victories, Clovis returned to Tours to thank St. Martin and offered financial and material support to the monastery. He also recognized St Martin as the patron saint of France.

This act of devotion initiated a tradition of royal patronage that was faithfully honored by Clovis’s descendants.

As a result, the city flourished, becoming a prosperous city and a significant religious center.

Gregory of Tours

The city’s prestige increased with the arrival of Grégoire , a young priest from an aristocratic Gallo-Roman family in Auvergne .

Grégoire, suffering from poor health, prayed at the tomb of St. Martin and was miraculously cured.

In gratitude, he dedicated his life to the saint and settled in the Abbey of Tours, becoming its bishop ten years later.

Known as Gregory of Tours (538-594), he was not only a devout religious leader but also a prominent historian.

He wrote several books, with his most famous work being “The History of the Franks.”

This seminal text remains the primary source of information on the Merovingian dynasty.

Alcuin of Tours

Emperor Charlemagne invited the Anglo-Saxon monk Alcuin to Tours in 796 AD, significantly enhancing the abbey’s prestige.

Alcuin reformed the monastic school and founded the university, drawing students from across Europe. As a result, Tours, the City of St. Martin, became a major intellectual and artistic center, continuing to thrive even after Alcuin’s death in 804 AD.

A few years later, a religious council in Tours made a landmark decision, ruling that the Bible should be written in French instead of Latin to reach a broader audience. This significant translation is known as the Bible of Alcuin.

Hugues Capet, Honorary abbot of St. Martin

The Norman invasions of the 9th century brought an end to this brilliant era, as the city was sacked.

However, the relics of St. Martin were safely transported to Auvergne.

By the early 10th century, the new town of Martinopolis (later known as Châteauneuf ) developed outside the cathedral’s enclosure.

In 987, Hugues Capet , Count of Orléans and Honorary Abbot of St. Martin, was elected King of France. His surname, Capet , was derived from St. Martin’s cloak ( Cappa in Latin).

Capet and his descendants honored their role as protectors of the Christian Church by endowing the abbey with generous donations of money and fiefdoms, allowing it to remain a major spiritual and intellectual center.

Tragically, in 997, both the abbey and Martinopolis were completely destroyed by fire.

A city in the heart of the French-English conflict

The County of Tours came under English control when Henry II Plantagenêt, Count of Anjou , ascended to the English throne in 1154.

However, in 1205, King Philip-Augustus of France re-seized the city, ushering in a long period of prosperity and peace.

During this time, the Denier Tournois , the currency of Tours, became the official currency of the French Kingdom. Touraine was formally annexed to the Kingdom of France in 1259.

The 14th and 15th centuries were challenging for Tours, marked by the devastating Black Death and the prolonged Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453).

In 1429, Joan of Arc stayed in Tours while waiting for her armor to be prepared. Later, in 1444, the victorious Charles VII signed the Treaty of Tours with Henry VI, marking a significant moment in the conflict’s resolution.

Tours from the Wars of Religion to the French Revolution

During the 16th century, Tours experienced a surge of interest in Protestant ideology, attracting intellectuals, artists, and craftsmen to the city.

However, this religious fervor led to violent conflicts, culminating in the sack of the abbey by Protestants and retaliatory actions by Catholics.

After the Wars of Religion subsided, Henry IV sought refuge in Tours, establishing the city once again as the capital of the kingdom.

During this time, Tours experienced significant population growth and economic prosperity. However, Henry IV later returned to Paris with his court, leading to a decline in political and administrative activity.

The city expanded beyond its previous boundaries, necessitating the construction of a new perimeter wall, which is now represented by the Boulevards Heurteloup and Béranger. Despite its growth, the absence of the royal court had a detrimental effect on Tours’ political and administrative functions.

Revival of Tours

In the 1850s, the local economy of Tours received a significant boost with the construction of the railway line connecting Tours to Orléans, along with the establishment of a railway station at St-Pierre-des-Corps in the city’s eastern outskirts. This development facilitated transportation and trade, revitalizing economic activity in the region.

Honoré de Balzac , a prominent French writer born in Tours, prominently featured the Loire Valley in his literary works, particularly in his monumental work, La Comédie Humaine.

During the Franco-Prussian War , Tours briefly regained political prominence when it served as the seat of the Government of National Defence from September 12th to December 9th, 1870.

The 20th century brought new challenges to Tours, as much of the city was heavily bombed during World War II. Despite this devastation, the city has emerged as a thriving modern city, expanding well beyond its historical limits as the ancient Turones .

Today, Tours boasts a diverse economy supported by numerous industries, including the manufacturing of tires by Michelin and the Jacquard weaving industry. As an important university town and major trade center for the Centre-Ouest region, Tours continues to play a significant role in the economic and cultural landscape of France.

Place Plumereau, the historic centre of Tours

In the 1970s, an ambitious rehabilitation initiative was launched to recreate the medieval ambiance of Tours, complete with its characteristic timbered houses, bustling markets, and Renaissance mansions.

1- The vibrant and pedestrian-friendly Place Plumereau , lined with picturesque timbered buildings, is famous for hosting the lively Hats Market ( Carroi aux Chapeaux ).

2- Adjacent to Place Plumereau, Place St-Pierre-le-Puellier takes its name from the remnants of a Romanesque church that once stood there.

3- Recent excavations in Tours have revealed the ancient foundations of the Gallo-Roman wall dating back to the 1st century AD, along with the discovery of two historical cemeteries from the 11th and 13th centuries.

4- The Musée du Gemmail was established within the 19th-century Hôtel Raimbault ; it showcases a unique collection of non-leaded stained glass windows.

5- The Maison de Tristan , a superb 15th-century mansion notable for its distinctive pierced gable, now serves as the home to the Centre d’Etudes de Langues Vivantes (Center for the Study of Modern Languages).

6- The facade of the Hôtel Gouin is a superb illustration of French Renaissance architecture. Originally constructed for the affluent silk merchant Gardette in the 16th century, in 1738, it came into the possession of the Gouïn family, prominent bankers. Despite being ravaged by fire and near destruction during WWII in 1940, its remnants were preserved as a national heritage site in 1941 and meticulously restored from 1950 to 1960. Today, it houses the Musée Régional d’Archéologie , which offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s archaeological treasures.

St. Martin Basilica

In the 9th century, the Normans ransacked the chapel built over the tomb of Saint Martin.

The basilica that was built on the same spot two centuries later was enlarged in the 13th century, and sacked by the Protestants during the Wars of Religion!

In the 19th century, the ruins were demolished to make way for the Rue des Halles , except for two large towers that were left standing, the Tour Charlemagne and the Tour de l’Horloge (Clock Tower).

The current Byzantine Nouvelle-Basilique-St-Martin was built between 1886 and 1924 on the transept of the old basilica, and the shrine of St. Martin placed in the crypt.

The adjacent Chapelle St. Jean , which houses the Musée St. Martin , relates the history of the old basilica and St Martin’s legacy.

As you can see, there’s a lot to discover the historic city of Tours; you’ll need a whole day.

Department of Indre-et-Loire Coordinates Tours: Lat 47.393031 – Long 0.683534

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Château de Serrant in the Loire Valley

Château de Valençay, a small Chambord

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Basilica of St. Martin, Tours

The Basilique de St-Martin in Tours is a neo-Byzantine basilica on the site of previous churches built in honor of St. Martin, bishop of Tours in the 4th century. Next to it are two Romanesque towers and a Renaissance cloister surviving from the earlier basilica.

History of Basilica of St. Martin

St. Martin was born in modern-day Hungary in about 316. His father was an officer in the Roman army, and Martin accompanied him to Pavia in Italy at an early age. When he reached adolescence, he was enrolled in the army himself and soon transferred to Amiens in France. By this time, Martin had converted to Christianity.

It was in Amiens that the famous legend of the cloak occurred, which is depicted in stained glass windows and carved on capitals throughout the region. At the gates of the city, one very cold day, Martin met a shivering and half-naked beggar. Moved with compassion, he divided his coat into two parts and gave one to the poor man.

Martin was baptised soon after, and with in a couple years his conscience would no longer allow him to fight in the army. After securing his release, Martin headed straight for Poitiers to become a disciple of the famous Bishop Hilary. Martin thereafter spent his time battling Arianism, preaching the Gospel in western Gaul, and living as a hermit at a deserted place called Ligugé.

When the bishop of Tours died in 371 , the city's clergy begged Martin to take the position. But Martin strongly refused, desiring the solitary life above all else. So the town took desperate measures - Rusticius, a rich citizen of Tours, went and begged Martin to come to his dying wife to prepare her for death. Martin followed him immediately, but had hardly entered the city when, in spite of the opposition of a few ecclesiastical dignitaries, popular acclamation forced him to become Bishop of Tours .

As expected, Martin was an excellent bishop, but he did not change his preferred way of life - he lived outside the city across the Loire at Marmoutier, where a monastery soon developed around him. Martin died in 397 at the age of about 81 in Candes, and his body was brought back to Tours.

Martin's remains were enclosed in a stone sarcophagus, above which his successors, St. Britius and St. Perpetuus, built first a simple chapel, and later a basilica (466-72) . St. Euphronius, Bishop of Autun and a friend of St. Perpetuus, sent a sculptured tablet of marble to cover the tomb. This Early Christian basilica burned down along with many other churches in 988.

A larger Basilica of St. Martin was constructed in 1014, which burned down in 1230. This was rebuilt as an even larger 13th-century Romanesque basilica , which became the center of great national pilgrimages and a stop on the way to Santiago . Martin's cult was very popular throughout the Middle Ages and a multitude of churches and chapels have been dedicated to him.

In 1562 , Huguenots (French Calvinists) sacked the Basilica of St. Martin from top to bottom, especially destroying the tomb and relics of Martin. The church was restored by its canons, but then was completely demolished in 1793 during the Revolution. All the remained of the basilica was the two towers which are still standing. To ensure the basilica could not be rebuilt, the atheistic municipality caused two streets to be opened up on its site.

In December 1860 , excavations located the site of St. Martin's tomb, of which some fragments were discovered. A new basilica to house these relics was constructed by Mgr Meignan, Archbishop of Tours, from 1886-1924 . Martin's tomb is still a place of pilgrimage for the faithful.

What to See at Basilica of St. Martin

The new Basilique de St-Martin is neo-Byzantine in style and is much smaller than its great medieval predecessor. Next to it stand the only remains of the Romanesque basilica: the Tour de Charlemagne and the western clock tower.

The relics and shrine to St. Martin are in the basilica's crypt, the walls of which are carved with hundreds of votive prayers dedicated to the saint.

Festivals and Events

On November 11 each year the Feast of St. Martin is celebrated in this church in the presence of a large number of the faithful of Tours and other cities of the diocese.

Quick Facts on Basilica of St. Martin

• St. Martin of Tours - Catholic Encyclopedia
• Archdiocese of Tours - Catholic Encyclopedia
• The Rough Guide to France 9 (April 2005), 564.

More Information

• Photos of Basilica of St. Martin - here on Sacred Destinations

Map of Basilica of St. Martin, Tours

Below is a location map and aerial view of Basilica of St. Martin. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.

Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours

Basilica of St. Martin, Rue Baleschoux, Tours, Francija

Website of the Sanctuary

+332 47 05 63 87

http://basiliquesaintmartin.fr/_Basilique-Saint-Martin-de-Tours_

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Tours, the City of Saint Martin of Tours

Medieval town tours, the former capital of touraine, was entirely destroyed by bombing during wwii and rebuilt around the basilica of saint martin of tours. the medieval districts were rebuilt stone by stone and the traces of its rich historical past resurrected..

The city is considered the cradle of French Christianity and remained for centuries under the patronage of the kings of France . Tours also remained the focus of territorial disputes which opposed the French to the English during the Middle Ages. An important University Town, it is also a major center of trade for the administrative region Centre-Ouest.  See other Catholic sites in France .

The history of Tours started 2000 years ago

From a Gallic village it grew into the Gallo-Roman Caesarodunum – Caesar’s Hill, a prosperous city which spread over more than 40 hectares. The inhabitants lived in peace until the barbarian invasions of the 3rd century AD when they demolished their amphitheater to build a rampart.  15 Catholic shrines around the world.

Some remains of this wall are still visible near the cathedral. Caesarodunum was the centre of the Roman province which included the current Touraine, Maine, Anjou and Brittany regions. The city was renamed Turones in 372AD.

Legend of Saint Martin

Saint Martin was a Roman legionnaire who converted to Christianity. He became famous after cutting his cloak in half and sharing it with a poor beggar. St-Martin founded his first monastery in Ligugé in Poitou then became bishop of Tours in 372AD.

Tours became known as the City of Saint Martin. A preacher of talent, he devoted his life to converting people, destroying pagan idols and temples and replacing them with chapels and churches. He built the monastery of Marmoutier near Tours.

Saint Martin died in Candé near Saumur in November 397AD. The two monasteries quarreled about where he should be buried. The monks of Marmoutier stole his coffin during the night when the monks of Ligurgé slept and took him back by boat to Tours.

However, a special event occurred during this trip. The trees on the river banks began to bloom miraculously in the middle of autumn. Since that time, this phenomenon that is due to the particularly mild temperatures which stimulate very early flowering has been known as Eté de la St-Martin – St-Martin’s Summer.

A city in the heart of the French-English conflict

The County of Tours became English when Henry II Plantagenêt, the powerful Count of Anjou became King of England in 1154. Philippe-Auguste re-seized Tours in 1205 leading the city into a long period of prosperity and peace. The currency of Tours, the Denier Tournois, even became the official currency of the kingdom.

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Touraine was formally annexed to the crown of France in 1259. The 14th and 15th centuries were marked by the terrible Black Death (plague) and the Hundred Years War (1337-1453).

In 1429 Joan of Arc stayed in Tours until her armor was ready.

In 1444, the victorious Charles VII signed the treaty of Tours with Henry VI. During the 16th century, Protestant ideology attracted intellectuals, artists and craftsmen to the city.

The chapel erected over Saint Martin’s tomb was ransacked by the Normans during the 9th century. The Saint Martin of Tours Basilica was built on the same site during the 11th century.

It was enlarged during the 13th century but was sacked by the Protestants during the Wars of Religion. The ruins were demolished to allow the opening of the Rue des Halles during the 19th century. The only remnants are the Tour Charlemagne and the Tour de l’Horloge (Clock Tower).

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Saint Martin of Tours Basilica

The Byzantine style Nouvelle Saint Martin of Tours Basilica was built between 1886 and 1924 on the transept of the old basilica. The shrine of St-Martin was placed in the crypt. The nearby Chapelle St-Jean houses the Musée St-Martin that relates the story of the Saint Martin of Tours Basilica.

In 1429 Joan of Arc stayed in Tours until her armor was ready. In 1444, the victorious Charles VII signed the treaty of Tours with Henry VI. During the 16th century, Protestant ideology attracted intellectuals, artists and craftsmen to the city.

Tour Charlemagne The conflict between Protestants and Catholics ended in a bloodbath when the Protestants sacked the abbey and the Catholics retaliated. Once the Wars of Religion over, Henry IV withdrew to Tours with the Parliament and made the city the capital of the kingdom once again. The demographic and economic expansion consistently increased until the king decided to return to his Court to Paris. New districts had grown out of the city and a new perimeter had been built.

The current Boulevards Heurteloup and Béranger replace this rampart. The absence of the royal Court had an undeniable impact on the political and administrative activity of the city. By the end of the French Revolution Tours was no more than a sleepy provincial town.

The local economy was re-launched in the 1850s with the construction of the railway line Tours-Orléans and the station at St-Pierre-des-Corps in the eastern outskirts of the city.

Tour de l’Horloge The writer Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) who was born in Tours made the Loire Valley the main setting for his work, La Comédie Humaine. The series of books depicts the manners and social habits during the 19th century.

Tours returned momentarily on the front of the political scene when it was chosen as seat of the Government of National Defence from 12th September to 9th December 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. The 20th century brought its share of devastation when the old city was mostly destroyed during the WWII bombardments.

Today the former capital of the County of Touraine is a large city which has grown well beyond the limits of the ancient Turones. Number of industries including the manufacture of tires Michelin or the weaver Jacquard brings prosperity to the city. An important university town Tours is also a major center of trade for the Region Centre-Ouest.

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‘So what is a chaplain then?’ – Inspiration from St Martin

• By abravefaith in Chaplaincy , Christianity , Spirituality

11th November 2019

As the chaplain at YMCA Liverpool and YMCA St Helens, I am often asked this question by residents .

I have found it helpful to share the story of St Martin, a fourth century bishop and former soldier, who gave us the origin of the words ‘chapel’ and ‘chaplain’, and whose life was an example of chaplaincy in action.

St Martin of Tours (316 – 397 AD), whose feast day is 11th November, is credited as the founder of Christian chaplaincy. A legend associated with him provides a direct source for understanding hospitality as it relates to chaplaincy today.

Unlike many early saints, about whom we know little , we know quite a bit about St Martin of Tours, thanks to a writer named Sulpicius, who devoted his life to following Martin, talking with those who were involved in his life, and writing a biography of him before the saint died.

Sulpicius recorded that Martin was a bishop in Gaul (modern-day France) who shunned the privileged status of that role to live in a monk’s cell in the wilderness. Before Martin became a Christian, at fifteen he was forced to join the army of the occupying Roman Empire.

One day Martin was on duty in Gaul when he noticed a beggar, freezing in the cold. Martin, moved with compassion, went to his aid. He took off his thick army cloak and cut it in two with his sword. One piece he wrapped around the beggar and the other he kept for himself.

This act echoes the ‘Golden Rule’ common to many spiritual traditions, which Jesus called one of the two greatest commandments: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’(Mark 12:29). I have written elsewhere about how this has become the basis of my understanding of chaplaincy for residentst and staff at the YMCA. This story reveals that it is at the heart of all chaplaincy everywhere.

That night Martin had a dream in which he saw the beggar with the piece of his cloak on his shoulders. But in his dream the beggar was Jesus. Sulpicius records that in Martin’s dream-vision, Jesus said to the angels, ‘Here is Martin, the Roman solider – he has clothed me.’ This recalls the parable of the sheep and goats from Matthew’s gospel: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:40). So chaplains are called to honour each person as a beloved child of God, made in the image of God (though they may not know that for themselves), as if they were Jesus among us today.

This vision of Jesus as the beggar transformed Martin, convincing him to give his life in service to the poor and neglected in his society as a monk. Finally he was able to leave the army to take up his calling, becoming a fierce advocate for the powerless to whom injustices were easily done.

The people loved Martin and wanted him as their bishop, but Martin wanted to remain a monk and refused to take the office. So they tricked him by sending someone to beg Martin to come to visit his supposedly sick wife. When Martin arrived in the city, he was carried by the crowd into the church, where bishops had gathered to consecrate him. The bishops were repelled by this dirty, dishevelled man and thought his unkempt appearance proved him unfit for the office. But the people insisted – they hadn’t chosen Martin for his outward appearance, but for his compassion, humility and commitment to justice. Overwhelmed by the acclamations of the people, the bishops consecrated Martin as bishop of Tours.

Martin’s activism for the poor and love of people was matched by his commitment to solitude and prayer. He developed regional spiritual communities as places of hospitality for anyone, regardless of background, who sought direction or sanctuary. He instituted the practice, which continues today, of the bishop making pastoral visits to each of his communities at least once a year. This visitation was significant at a time when those in authority, who lived in the towns and cities, often neglected country people.

He lived simply and humbly, resisting status-seeking for himself. When he died, Martin was buried at his request in the cemetery for poor people. The Frankish Kings kept Martin’s half of the cloak he had shared with the beggar as a precious relic. The guardian of this cloak became known as the capellanus in Latin, derived from the word cappa , meaning a cloak or cape. Cappelanus came to the English language via Old French as ‘chaplain’. The place where the relic of Martin’s torn cloak became known as the capella , which is the origin of the word ‘chapel’. The values and example of St Martin began to provide a legacy for the work of chaplains since the inception of the early European universities.

St Martin of Tours, reputed as the founder of the vocation of Christian chaplaincy, is the chaplain’s prototype. He often travelled to the countryside, meeting ordinary people neglected by town officials. So chaplaincy today is also a fluid occupation, not confined to a desk and appointment schedule, but mobile, unobtrusively engaging with people in their everyday life, particularly those in need of support. Chaplaincy is defined by the same compassionate impulse as the incident of Martin with the beggar, and chaplaincy sees such acts as sacred.

The hospitality of St Martin changed the lives of the people he met. To sustain their transformed lives, he encouraged them to form communities of hospitality, in which Christians offered hospitality to each other as a context for hospitality to others.

That’s the understanding of chaplaincy I aim to live out today.

St martin, pray for us whose ministry takes your life as a template for unconditional love of others. amen.

Adapted from various sources, particularly The Legend of St Martin of Tours, 316 – 397 CE, Patron Saint of France by Geoff Boyce.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/11/11/so-what-is-a-chaplain-then-inspiration-from-st-martin/

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Saint Martin of Tours

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Thursday Lower Church 8:30am Mass followed by adoration till 6:30pm.

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Category : Lower Basilica in Assisi - Chapel of Saint Martin of Tours

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• Lower Basilica in Assisi - Frescos of Chapel of Saint Martin of Tours ‎ (1 C, 46 F)

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• Institution:Cappella di San Martino, Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi

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