Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral

Saint-Apollinaire Cathedral was blessed by Pope Urban II in the 11th century, making it one of Valence’s oldest monuments. Well, oldest through its plans, since the original 11th-century cathedral was destroyed and ruined during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century. It was then rebuilt according to the original plans. Its Romanesque architecture is typical of the period in which it was built. If you look closely, you’ll notice that its bell tower is quite different from the rest: struck by lightning in the 19th century, it was rebuilt in Crussol stone, recognizable by its white color, which stands out from the polychrome stones that decorate the rest of the building. Classified as a historic monument in 1869, the cathedral is regularly visited by pilgrims, as it is one of the stops on the Compostelle pilgrimage route. It’s definitely a highlight of any visit to Valence!