Basilicas in France—Champagne-Ardenne

Basilica Abbey of St. Remi, Reims, Marne

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1870.

St. Remi was an early bishop of Reims who baptized Clovis, King of the Franks, around 500 A.D.  After Remi died in 533, his grave attracted pilgrims.  A Benedictine abbey was built on this site in 760 and remained until the French Revolution.  Two churches were built here prior to the construction of the current Gothic church between the 11th and 13th Centuries.  The church survived the French Revolution but was desecrated and ransacked.  It was restored after the Revolution.  St. Remi is buried in the basilica as are several kings and queens of the Franks.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Clotilde, Reims, Marne

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Leo XIII in 1902.

St. Clotilde was the wife of King Clovis and it she who convinced Clovis to be baptized.  The neo-Byzantine church was built between 1896 and 1905 to commemorate the 1400-year anniversary of the baptism of King Clovis.  The crypt has 2,000 relics of saints who were important in French history.

The first picture is from a local source and the rest are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of Our Lady of L’Epine, L’Epine, Marne

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius X in 1913.

The church was built between 1406 and 1527 and is considered a masterpiece of the flamboyant Gothic style.  It has an image of Mary with the Child Jesus that according to legend was found in the Middle Ages by shepherds in a burning thorn bush.  The site has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of Our Lady of Hope, Charleville-Mezieres, Ardennes

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1946.

The Flamboyant Gothic church was built between 1499 and 1682.  King Charles IX was married in this church in 1570.  The church has been severely damaged by wars and weather but has been restored.  Its stained-glass windows were installed between 1954 and 1979 and were designed by Rene Durrbach.

Pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Chaumont, Haute-Marne

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1948.

This Gothic church was constructed between 13th and 16th Centuries although most of its interior decoration dates to the 18th Century.

Pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Urban, Troyes, Aube

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

This Gothic church was built under the direction of Pope Urban IV.  Construction began in 1262 and continued until 1905.  Urban wanted to build a church at the site of his birthplace and dedicate it to St. Urban, a 3rd Century pope and Urban’s patron saint.  Urban IV was the son of a shoemaker who rose to become Pope. 

Pictures are from Wikipedia.