Cathédrale Ste-Marie, Bayonne

After Barritz we drove 10k to Bayonne to visit

Cathédrale Ste-Marie. Construction started 700

years ago, and it was completed sometime

after 1451.

Located in the heart of French Basque country,

that has been overun by different kings throughout its

history, the church has elements of all the various

cultures. The Spanish, French and Anglo Normans

have all had a go over the years.

Above right is the crypt, located under the sanctum, where the priests sit, and yes, those are stone coffins containing the bodies of various archbishops over the centuries!

This was our first ancient cathederal and it made a huge impression on us.

Although its history and traditions are so different ours,

it was a spiritual experience to be in a space where people have been

worshiping the Saviour for so many centruries, and for a short while we were

able to be joined with them in worship of Him.

It was amusing to see that this is a functioning church. In the back is the notice board with all

the various weekly activites, youth groups, working bees, rosters and so on. Church life is the same everwhere!