There has been a church on the site of the Saint-Sernin Basilica since the 4th century, though construction of the current Romanesque landmark finished in the early 12th century. It was named in honor of Saint Saturnin (now Sernin), the first bishop of Toulouse, whose remains were housed here. As an important stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, its vast proportions have been inspiring travelers for centuries, and are still a marvel to behold. The basilica was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1990s for its connection with the Santiago pilgrimages.
You can visit the church as part of a guided walking tour or sightseeing bus or bike tour of the city. Architectural highlights include its unusual eight-sided, five-tiered tower, soaring rib-vaulted ceilings, 15th-century spire, and crypt containing the relics of Saint-Sernin and many other saints.