Lugdunum & Saint-Just de Valcabrère

After descending from the hilltop Saint-Bertrand, we had a quick look at some of the nearby Roman and excavations of Lugdunum Convenarum, including:

- theatre (this was set into the very foot of the hillside)
- bathhouse complex
- forum or central square
- early 5th century Christian basilica

The latter is said to be connected to an early and small Christian community present in Lugdunum Convenarum from the end of the 3rd century. The church became the centre of the Diocese of Comminges.

We then drove a couple of km to another church, the Basilique Saint-Just de Valcabrère, built just outside the Roman city. The basilica is said to be the most beautiful Romanesque church in south west France. The present building was built in the 11-12th centuries with re-used stones from Lugdunum but may have replaced an earlier building on the site, and excavations are underway of a much earlier cemetery just across the road from the church.

We benefited from an online audio guide in English that we could access on our phones.

Like the (former) Cathedral, St Just de Valcabrère was recognised as a key place on the Camino de Santiago for medieval pilgrims to visit and, accordingly, is now recognised as a. UNESCO World Heritage Site linked to the Camino. There’s also a sign outside indicating the distance to Santiago.Read more