Lescar Cathedral

Lescar, France

The building of Lescar Cathedral was begun in 1120 by Bishop Guy de Lons, and was sacked by the Protestants during the reign of Jeanne III of Navarre. It was restored in the 17th and 18th centuries. The apse, housing a pavement mosaic from the 12th century with hunting scenes, is in Romanesque style. In the interior, columns have capitals depicting histories of the life of Daniel, of the birth of Christ and the Sacrifice of Isaac.

From the end of the 15th century the cathedral was used as the burial place of the royal family of Navarre. Francis Phoebus was buried here in 1483, followed by Catherine of Navarre, her consort Jean d'Albret and several of their children, among them Henry II of Navarreand his wife Marguerite of Angoulême, grandparents of King Henry IV of France.

Of the funerary monuments ordered by Henry II, subjected to iconoclastic damage by Protestants and to the collapse of the sanctuary vault in 1599, nothing remains. Archaeological excavations in 1928-1929 were successful however in rediscovering the royal crypt and the remains of its occupants.

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Address

Place Royale 4, Lescar, France
See all sites in Lescar

Details

Founded: 1120
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Bebie THIEBAUT (4 years ago)
Beautiful cathedral
Mauro Ardizzi (4 years ago)
Really nice and ancient cathedral.
Guy Sabourin (5 years ago)
Très bien accueilli à l'Office de tourisme.
Ian Morton (5 years ago)
A beautiful 12th century cathedral, with some original mosaics. This small town is well worth a visit and the cathedral is a highlight. From the surroundings of the cathedral there are some great views south to the Pyrenees.
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