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.
The Saint-Sernin Basilica is located in Place Saint-Sernin on the northern edge of the Old Quarter of Toulouse. It’s within walking distance of other sites in the Old Quarter, and near the Jean d’Arc metro station. The city’s main train station is a 20-minutes walk away.
The basilica is open daily year-round (except on bank holidays). Opening times vary by season, so it’s best to check in advance. Toulouse, like much of France’s southern Occitane region, has a temperate, sunny climate. Spring and early fall temperatures are pleasantly warm, summer months are mostly hot and humid, and winters are mild and can be rainy.
The Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage, or the Camino de Santiago, is a network of pilgrims' paths leading from all over Europe to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia in northwestern Spain. The pilgrimages have taken place since medieval times, and the route is still highly popular today with both walkers and cyclists.