Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges

Built on the rocky spur of the ancient Roman city of Lugdunum Convenarum, the cathedral owes its rise to Bertrand de l'Isle, elected bishop of Comminges in 1083, who undertook its construction before dying in 1123; canonised in 1218, he gave his name to the town from 1222. Bertrand de Got, bishop here before becoming pope as Clement V, had the saint's relics translated in 1309, making Saint-Bertrand a major centre of pilgrimage. The 14th-century Gothic choir holds carved wooden stalls of great iconographic richness, while the Romanesque cloister overlooks the valley. The building is also known for a curious stuffed crocodile hanging in the nave.

Getting there : Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela; hilltop village of the Comminges, open to the public

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

Ambient sound