Church of Saint-Aignan

The Church of Saint-Aignan, in Orléans

The Church of Saint-Aignan is dedicated to the bishop who, according to tradition, stood up to Attila and saved Orléans from the Huns. The Orléans audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary laden with history, linked to one of the most venerated figures of the town, and its remarkable crypt.

The sanctuary of the saviour of Orléans

Here is the Church of Saint-Aignan. St Aignan is a very important figure, who made his entry into the great History by standing up to the terrible Attila, the chief of the Huns. In the fifth century, these formidable invaders arrived to conquer Orléans, after having sacked other towns like Metz. Aignan, then bishop of Orléans, organised and galvanised the resistance of the besieged town, sustaining the courage of the inhabitants while waiting for the arrival of the rescue. The town was saved, and Aignan entered into the legend as the protector of Orléans, becoming one of the most venerated saints of the town. The church that bears his name, raised on the place of his tomb, is a building laden with history, several times rebuilt over the centuries, notably after the destructions of the Hundred Years' War and the wars of Religion. Its jewel is its remarkable Romanesque crypt, one of the oldest and largest of France, that sheltered the relics of the saint and constitutes a precious witness of medieval art. A historic sanctuary and a tribute to the saviour of the town, the Church of Saint-Aignan is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the church dedicated to St Aignan, the bishop who, according to tradition, stood up to Attila and his army of Huns in the fifth century and saved Orléans, becoming one of the most venerated saints of the town; raised on his tomb and several times rebuilt, it shelters a remarkable Romanesque crypt, one of the oldest and largest of France. The Church of Saint-Aignan is a historic sanctuary of Orléans. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of Saint-Aignan lies in the heart of Orléans, near the banks of the Loire, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free and the crypt may follow its own hours, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Who was St Aignan, honoured by this church in Orléans?

The bishop of Orléans who, in the fifth century, stood up to the terrible Attila and his army of Huns come to conquer the town: he organised the resistance of the besieged town, that was saved, and entered into the legend as the protector of Orléans, one of the most venerated saints; the church raised on his tomb shelters a remarkable Romanesque crypt.

Where is the Church of Saint-Aignan in Orléans?

In the heart of Orléans, near the banks of the Loire, in France.