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Notre-Dame-du-Port Basilica
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Visitor alert
The basilica is first and foremost a place of worship: during services and liturgical times, tourist visits are not possible. To make the most of your visit, we recommend that you come outside these times. As service times are regular, a short check beforehand will enable you to plan your visit calmly and respect the peace and quiet of the faithful.
Description
A masterpiece of Auvergne Romanesque art and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica captivates visitors with its architectural harmony, sculpted capitals and brilliant blond stone.
Built in the first third of the XIIᵉ century, the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica is a masterpiece of Auvergne Romanesque art, constructed in blonde arkose, the region's emblematic stone.
On the outside, the elevation of the chevet, the semi-circular arches and the finesse of the sculptures bear witness to the exceptional skill of the builders. The light-colored arkose is in dialogue with the lava stone mosaics adorning the apse, while the pyramidal treatment of the chevet, the sculpted program of the south portal and the capitals - including the four historiated capitals in the choir - are among the building's most remarkable features.
Inside, the smooth barrel-roofed nave, framed by two aisles with large arcades and tribunes, leads to a choir surrounded by an ambulatory with radiating chapels, typical of Auvergne Romanesque architecture. Donations from the faithful over the centuries have enriched the church with a wealth of furnishings: paintings by masters - including an Annunciation by Philippe de Champaigne - and sculptures, including a delicate Vierge allaitant (XIVᵉ-XVᵉ centuries). The basilica has always held a special place in the life of Clermont-Ferrand, thanks to devotion to the Black Madonna preserved in the crypt, attested since 1614.
Restoration work, completed in December 2008, has restored the building's coherence. The "daffodil" whitewash has restored the unity of the interior volumes and highlighted the XIXᵉ century stained glass windows, offering a new reading of light and color in this UNESCO World Heritage monument.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Additional information
Updated by
Clermont Auvergne Volcans - 26/05/2026
www.clermontauvergnevolcans.com
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Price(s)
Free of charge.
Distinctions
Classified
Towns and regions of art and history
Open period
All year round daily between 9 am and 6 pm. From 9am to 7pm in July and August. Visits not permitted during masses and celebrations.
History, culture and heritage
Situated in the heart of the former merchant suburb of Port, the basilica bears witness to the importance of this district in the medieval development of Clermont. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the basilica occupies a unique place in Clermont's identity, as much for the continuity of its parish life as for the devotional traditions associated with the Black Madonna. The building is also part of a remarkable group of Romanesque churches in Auvergne, contributing to the region's artistic and cultural wealth.
Tips
To make the most of your visit, take a few moments to observe the chevet from Rue du Port: it's one of the best vantage points from which to appreciate the harmony of blond arkose and lava mosaics. Inside, take a walk around the ambulatory to admire the historiated capitals and sculpted details up close. A visit to the crypt will give you an idea of the importance of devotion to the Black Madonna in the history of the site. Last but not least, the Port district, with its ancient streets and stone facades, offers a wonderful continuation of the stroll after a visit to the basilica.
Sustainable tourism
The Basilica is a living heritage and spiritual site. So that everyone can enjoy it with peace of mind, simply take the time to move quietly through the spaces, taking care to preserve the calm of the place. Inside, the Romanesque architecture and sculpted capitals are particularly sensitive: admiring them without touching them contributes to their proper conservation. Finally, walking or using public transport to reach the Port district allows you to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the historic center while limiting the impact on the urban environment.
Tips for the photographer
The basilica offers superb photo opportunities: - The chevet, particularly photogenic in the morning, reveals the contrasts between blond arkose and lava mosaics. - The south facade benefits from beautiful late afternoon light, ideal for capturing the sculpted details of the portal. - Inside, play with the soft light filtering through the XIXᵉ century stained glass windows: it highlights the Romanesque volumes and the warm colors of the whitewash. - The ambulatory and historiated capitals offer expressive close-ups.
Location complements
Bus T2C, Delille Montlosier stop, Tram A, bus lines 3,4,7,12, 27, 35, 36 and C-Vélo station.
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