Basilique Notre-Dame-d'Espérance

Charleville-Mézières

A masterpiece of late Flamboyant Gothic, built from 1499 on the foundations of a castle chapel mentioned as early as 1156. On 27 November 1570 it hosted the wedding of King Charles IX to Elisabeth of Austria, great-niece of Emperor Charles V — for the occasion, the church was exceptionally raised to the rank of cathedral, for a single day. Its bell tower, fitted with a watchman's lodging, was in 1871 the scene of an escapade by the young Arthur Rimbaud, a native of the town. Since the early 19th century it has housed a Black Madonna venerated since the 10th century, the object of an annual pilgrimage that lasted until 1962.

Getting there : Free admission

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound