SAINT-GÉRÉON BASILICA
Church with oval base built in antiquity over the tomb of Saint Géréon, who died for his faith with 318 legionnaires.
According to the medieval legend, Saint Geréon was a Roman officer, died with 318 legionnaires for his faith. On the tomb of the martyr, a church at the oval base was built in antiquity, around 350 AD. This construction, unique to the north of the Alps, was often compared to the Hagia Sofia of Constantinople and dome of the cathedral of Florence. Integration of old walls into new buildings is a real engineering work. The various phases of its history can be well identified today. It is still possible to perceive the cult of martyrs: Some reused Roman sarcophagi are filled with relics of that era. This church contains wonders, starting with its mosaic floor in the eleventh century.