BASILIQUE Sainte-Trinité

The church of Cherbourg was first built in 435 but was destroyed in 841 during the Normand invasions. In the 11th century, William the Conqueror orders the construction of a new church, seemingly on the ruins of the first one. Unfortunately, it too was destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War. Another church was ordered by the diocese of Coutances in the 14th century, based again on the ruins of the last one but this time in a gothic style. 

The building was completely restored in the 1800s and a tower of 26 meters is added to the West Portal. It is considered the first neo-gothic work in France. In 1912, the church is raised to a basilica by the pope Benedict XV.

The high altar with its altarpiece, sculpted by Armand Fréret (1758-1816), and the high gallery of the nave which shows sculptures showing on one side the“dance of death” and on the other, scenes from the Passion.

Basilique Sainte-Trinité