Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France Verified listing

 Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

The Basilica of Notre-Dame, Boulogne, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, stands in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, northern France. This towering landmark, with its 101-meter-high dome, defines the city’s skyline. Built between 1827 and 1875, it occupies the site of a medieval cathedral. Locals often refer to it as the "cathedral," although it never held that title officially.

The basilica’s unique design functions as a double church. Visitors enter a classical church, which then opens to a chapel under the central dome. This rare layout exists only in Paris’s Dome des Invalides, where Napoleon is buried.

During reconstruction, workers discovered an ancient Roman crypt beneath the site. Inspired, builders expanded the crypt under the basilica’s entire surface, covering nearly 4,000 m². Here, murals from different periods—including Romanesque and Gothic paintings—adorn the walls. The 19th-century murals feature 160 scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the history of Notre-Dame.

The crypt also holds sculptures and archaeological finds. These include Romanesque, Roman, and Gothic elements, each offering unique insights into the basilica’s past. Together, the art and artifacts highlight the basilica’s cultural heritage. With its rich history and unique architecture, the basilica continues to attract visitors from around the world.

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