NOTRE-DAME-DU-PORT CHURCH
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Church with four strangely arranged chapels, one of which contains the statue of a Virgin nursing in Clermont-Ferrand.
The Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica is one of the first heritage sites visited in the city. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the five major Romanesque churches in Auvergne. Since 1998, it is part of the prestigious Unesco world heritage list, registered as a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in France. Starting point of the Via Arverna, it is located in the Port district, which is the place where the markets take place. Built on a Latin cross plan, its nave is lined with five large arcades and pierced by two openings: a Romanesque portal surmounted by a lintel and a Gothic door made of Volvic stone, which at the end of the 15th century opened onto a chapel. Its chevet, composed of four radiating chapels, adopts the pyramidal silhouette of the Romanesque art of Auvergne. The decoration is rich: stone mosaics, billet strings, modillions with chips and capitals. To admire it from another angle, take advantage of the belvedere in the building opposite (ask for the opening hours). Its interior is bright and highlights the medieval sculpted capitals and the 19th century stained glass windows. Remarkable works of art are preserved in the crypt, such as the Virgin Nursing from the early 15th century or theAnnunciation by Philippe de Champaigne. If the crypt is once again accessible, the restoration work continues in the sacristy and will be followed by a development of the surroundings of the basilica.
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