Avioth Basilica, Avioth, France

Avioth has been a place of pilgrimage since the early 12th century and it was this that led to the building of the vast Church of Our Lady of Avioth. It is a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture, dating from the second half of the 13th century, and is often described as 'lacework in stone'. It is famous for its Recevresse, a unique work of Gothic art. We know it used to receive offerings from the pilgrims, but the reason for its construction remains uncertain.

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Lorraine Tourism

User Reviews

Paulus “Quesjer” den Boer (3 years ago)
Beautifull basiliek, but needs care as well!

Serge Laffont (4 years ago)
It's the basilique located in the smallest place in France. Very interesting outside and inside. It's an open church. A lot of ex votos inside.

Robin Jensen (4 years ago)
Not as big and impressive as I expected, but very worth a visit and very quaint village

Elizabeth F (6 years ago)
A beautiful hidden gem in the north of france. A basilique of the 13th century in a village of 150 of population and with very kind people around ready to offer their knowledge on the place. Don’t forget to visit the bookstore in front of the basilique it has french and english books and very olde editions.

Joris Pasgang (6 years ago)
Definitely a must see if you're in the area. However, it is located in a tiny and sleepy village, so make sure to bring a snack and a drink of your own if you're visiting outside of the opening hours of the local diners. Also a great starting point for walks through the surrounding countryside.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Avioth Basilica

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