The Holy Cross Church in Bordeaux is the former abbey of a Benedictine monastery of the 7th century. The current buildings, with its distinctive Saintonge Romanesque façade, dates from the 11th-12th centuries. The church is listed historical monument since 1840.
The Basilica of Saint Michael was built from the 14th to the 16th century, it is characteristic of the flamboyant Gothic style. The basilica shares with the cathedral Saint-André the peculiarity of being equipped with a bell-tower independent of the rest of the church. The building is classified as a historical monument since 1846.
Restored for nearly twenty years by the association of the Institute of the Good Shepherd in Bordeaux, which has occupied the premises since 2002, this church, of which only the facade is visible on the street, has a colourful decor and a warm and pious atmosphere, rendered in particular by the stained glass windows of the choir. It also benefits from a choice location, as it is in the middle of a historic district of Bordeaux.
This church was wanted by Cardinal Donnet in the image of the church crowning Montmartre, in the spirit of the buildings born of the military disaster and the dramatic events of 1870-1871.
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