Saint-Sauveur cathedral

Standing before you is the beautiful Saint-Sauveur Cathedral. It was built on the site of the ancient Roman forum, the main square of the ancient city once known as Aquae Sextiae. Legend has it that it was constructed right on top of the foundations of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo. Whatever the case, we know for sure that it stood along the Via Aurelia, a historic road built by the Romans. Originally, there was a chapel here dedicated to Saint-Sauveur, which was demolished during the Saracen invasions. The cathedral was built later in the 11th century, at the behest of Archbishop Rostang de Fos. If you look closely, you can still see remnants of its past: the wall next to the portal on the right dates from Roman times, and the octagonal bell tower is built on the foundations of a 5th-century baptistery, one of the oldest in France. It’s been remodeled and renovated time and again over the centuries, hence its fusion of architectural styles. The portal on the right was built in the Romanesque style of the 12th century, whilst the grand central portal dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, beautifully carved along Gothic lines. The octagonal bell tower was constructed sometime between 1323 and 1425, and later crowned with 8 pinnacles in 1579. The cathedral itself boasts three naves built in three different styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Keep an eye out for the stunning pipe organ dating from 1743; it’s listed as a historical monument. For the sake of symmetry, a second organ has been placed directly opposite it; this one’s just a good replica though. The cloister, also listed as a historical monument, was built in the 12th century and it’s a fine example of Romanesque architecture. Throughout the building, you’ll find remarkable art pieces, including the famous Burning Bush Triptych, one of the most famous paintings of the 15th century. Curious to learn more about the cathedral? Download the “Aix Cathédrale Connect” mobile app and uncover all its hidden wonders!