ABBEY CHURCH OF SAINT SEVER

Listed by Unesco as part of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, Saint-Sever Abbey shines like a heritage jewel. Legend has it that a martyral church was built after the death of Severus (^5th century), and that monks settled here at an early date. The present abbey was founded in 988. In the Middle Ages, it dominated the region, but after a fire in the ^11th century, the abbey-church was rebuilt to impressive dimensions according to an original Benedictine plan with seven staggered apses. With its choir paved with Romanesque mosaics, it houses an exceptional collection of 150 sculpted capitals, half of which date from the Romanesque period, polychrome decorations and a romantic Cavaillé-Coll organ from the ^19th century, one of the most renowned in the world, which resounds during services and concerts. Numerous destructions and reconstructions have led to the evolution of the church, whose interior has been entirely renovated as it was in the ^19th century. The cloister and chapter house, now the treasure room, are also open to the public. Climb up to the bell tower to admire the view over the city's old center, or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the adjoining cloister. In addition to the summer guided tours, visit the Tourist Office to hire a tablet to follow "Le Voyage de Guilhem", which will tell you the rich and incredible story of Saint-Sever and its abbey. You'll enjoy a superb view of the church's chevet from the Place de Verdun.