Basilica of Notre Dame de la Daurade

You’re now standing in front of the Daurade basilica, with a beautiful panoramic view of the left river bank. The nearby quayside might lead you to believe that the name Daurade must refer to the homonymous fish! Well, you’d be mistaken! It actually comes from the word Dorada, meaning golden, as excavations have shown that the very first church was built on top of a Visigothic palatine chapel covered in gold leaf. Don’t let its humble facade deceive you! Trust us and step inside to meet the renowned black Madonna. Standing two meters tall, she is the protector of the city and of expectant mothers, and she proudly sports gowns from some of the top designers in France! In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common to parade her through the streets, in the wake of a disaster for example. She would then be given a colour-coded dress for each occasion. Her no longer fashionable and well-worn dresses, prompted the parish to reach out to the biggest names in haute couture in the hope that one of them would answer the call! Today, she’s got a whole new wardrobe that would make fashion victims worldwide green with envy! Once you’ve discovered what’s hidden behind its walls, walk around the church until you find the stairway leading down to the quayside.