Saint-Leu Church

Right in front of you stands the Saint-Leu Church, one of the oldest in the city after the cathedral and Saint-Germain. It was built in 1449, though it’s believed that another church once stood on this very spot, likely destroyed some years earlier. Saint-Leu was built to replace it. The bell tower wasn’t completed until the 16th century. Take a look at the spire — legend has it that on Easter Day 1581, a violent storm caused it to collapse onto the structure below.The impact brought down part of the ceiling, crushing the congregation inside and killing 68 people. While this tragic event marked the church’s history forever, the restored building continues to impress visitors as a magnificent example of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Many of its medieval features remain intact despite the renovations. If the doors are open, feel free to step inside and admire the richly decorated interior.