City: Occitanie
Top Things to do in Occitanie
Things to do in Occitanie, France: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
Occitanie is an administrative region of France that was created on 1 January 2016 from former French regions Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées.
Restaurants in Occitanie
1. Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,251 reviews
Reviewed By soloflyer2018 - Brisbane, Australia
The magnificent brick building with its amazing Gothic entrance is very hard to describe because it is so huge and apparently the largest brick Cathedral in that part of the world. But... when you enter inside that is when your breath is taken away...it is beautiful. Although it is a French Cathedral the Art is Italian and it is spectacular. I actually visited more than once because I could not absorb everything. The history, the color, the Art ,amazing and a definite "must see" in Albi.
2. Eglise Saint-Jerome
3. Cathedrale St-Jean
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
Reviewed By frankn829
This is certainly a beautiful church worthy of exploring. You definitely get a feel that it was meant to be a bit bigger, but, it has a lot of amazing art in every nook and cranny. One really interesting item is an apparent crypt cemented in by a covering with four skull and crossbones figures - one on each corner. Being close to the sea, it makes you wonder...
4. Cathedrale St-Just
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,106 reviews
Reviewed By Hugo929 - Los Angeles, United States
This cathedral joins the one in Siena (Italy) as an example of grandiose but truncated plans. Begun in the 13th century in the prevailing gothic style it has impressive thick columns, beautiful gothic arches and colorful stained glass windows. Built on the site of previous churches, one can find remnants. In the 14th century funds run out, mostly because of a decline of business in Narbonne, so the nave is missing.
5. Eglise Saint-Nazaire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,917 reviews
Reviewed By PJandSJ - Matlock, United Kingdom
This is an imposing church which exudes a sense of deep history. The stained-glass windows at the altar end of the church – the apse – are beautiful, particularly the two rose windows – one at each end of the transept. I sat there for several minutes gazing at their beauty … and returned two days later to have another look. The windows rivalled anything that I’ve seen on visits to various churches around the world.
6. Sanctuaire Notre Dame de Lourdes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,717 reviews
Reviewed By laurencC2840FK - Paris, France
Through walking the cute quiet town of montemarte, which has tons of quirky art and souvenir shops, you reach the beautiful church and climb up to the dome. Lots of stairs so be prepared but worth it.
7. Cathedrale Sainte Marie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 576 reviews
Reviewed By kacccak - Keswick, United Kingdom
It is a must see in Auch. A beautiful gothic cathedral with an original medieval wooden choir stall, tainted, colourful windows and impressive craftsmanship.
8. Cathedrale Saint-Etienne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
Reviewed By mariont276 - Newburyport, United States
The massive fortress-like facade does not really suggest what awaits you in the interior--a magnificent nave with two domes, one painted with ancient frescoes, and a plethora of tiny chapels all around the aisles and the apse. On the exterior, the north (?) portal is really magnificent with impressive sculptures above the door and floral decorations around the arches. The stone used for the architecture is alternate courses of black and white limestone, enhancing the sculptural decoration. Off the south side of the church, you open the door into an amazing cloister with elaborate flamboyant Gothic decoration.
9. Abbaye de Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 910 reviews
Joyau du premier art roman languedocien, ce sanctuaire fondé au début du IXe siècle, est l'un des plus importants foyers spirituels et culturels du Languedoc. La fondation, en 804, de l’Abbaye bénédictine de Gellone, s’inscrit dans le contexte historique et religieux de la région. Dès le Xe siècle, alors que Guilhem est devenu Saint-Guilhem, le rayonnement spirituel de Gellone s’affirme et le monastère devient une halte privilégiée sur le chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. En 1998, l’Abbaye de Gellone est classée au Patrimoine mondial par l’U.N.E.S.C.O. au titre des chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France.
Reviewed By MagdaBee - Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, France
Amazing. So peaceful and beautiful. It has an outside courtyard. You feel transported back in time... But wearing a mask of course ????????
10. Notre-Dame-des-Auzils
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 reviews
Reviewed By 658marshallb - Ferney-Voltaire, France
Definitely worth a short hike and visit - several parking spots are possible depending on how long you want to walk. On the way you pass some photogenic vineyards and ruins - the road is well marked but rather narrow at times but not dangerous - just watch when you go around bends in the road. The parking closest to the chapel and cemetery handles perhaps 30 cars. It is true that there is some repair work underway on the path up, also on the walls, but it should not hinder most people - but on a hot day, if you are rushing up to get into the chapel before its midday closing time of 1220, the hike, which climbs about 100 meters in altitude, should not to be taken lightly. And beach shoes are definitely not appropriate unless your ankles are in superb shape and you don’t mind walking on irregularly-shaped rocks. But this is all logistics - and once you pass by the moving monuments to sailors lost at sea, and the paintings and models of ships that went down in the sea, you should be pleased that you made the effort to get there. But do check the opening and closing times and dates - while there is a great panoramic view at the chapel level, it is more enjoyable to see it during a visit to the chapel.
