Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux

The Basilica of St. Michael is a Gothic church in the heart of Bordeaux, dedicated to the Archangel Michael and seat within the Archdiocese of Bordeaux. Its freestanding bell tower — standing around 114 metres, the tallest in southwest France — is a defining landmark of the Saint-Michel quarter. Since 1998 the basilica has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a designated halt on the Via Turonensis, one of the principal French routes of the Camino de Santiago, and still receives pilgrims heading for Santiago de Compostela. The interior retains Gothic tracery and medieval stained glass, while the crypt below was historically an ossuary, lending the site a particular atmosphere. The surrounding neighbourhood is one of the most diverse and animated in Bordeaux, with an open-air market and a strong local identity.