Notre-Dame-du-Port Basilica

Built in the first third of the XIIᵉ century, the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica is a masterpiece of Auvergne Romanesque art, constructed in blonde arkose, the region’s emblematic stone.

On the outside, the elevation of the chevet, the semi-circular arches and the finesse of the sculptures bear witness to the exceptional(…)

Built in the first third of the XIIᵉ century, the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica is a masterpiece of Auvergne Romanesque art, constructed in blonde arkose, the region’s emblematic stone.

On the outside, the elevation of the chevet, the semi-circular arches and the finesse of the sculptures bear witness to the exceptional skill of the builders. The light-colored arkose is in dialogue with the lava stone mosaics adorning the apse, while the pyramidal treatment of the chevet, the sculpted program of the south portal and the capitals – including the four historiated capitals in the choir – are among the building’s most remarkable features.

Inside, the smooth barrel-roofed nave, framed by two aisles with large arcades and tribunes, leads to a choir surrounded by an ambulatory with radiating chapels, typical of Auvergne Romanesque architecture. Donations from the faithful over the centuries have enriched the church with a wealth of furnishings: paintings by masters – including an Annunciation by Philippe de Champaigne – and sculptures, including a delicate Vierge allaitant (XIVᵉ-XVᵉ centuries). The basilica has always held a special place in the life of Clermont-Ferrand, thanks to devotion to the Black Madonna preserved in the crypt, attested since 1614.

Restoration work, completed in December 2008, has restored the building’s coherence. The “daffodil” whitewash has restored the unity of the interior volumes and highlighted the XIXᵉ century stained glass windows, offering a new reading of light and color in this UNESCO World Heritage monument.