Church of Saint-Hilaire

Agen has long been a significant religious center, where visitors can discover more than just the main cathedral of Saint-Caprais. Take this spot, for example. The Church of Saint-Hilaire is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city and well worth a visit. What you see today, with its Languedoc Gothic style, was built was built in the 14th century on the site of the old convent of the Friars Minor, a Catholic order that first emerged in Italy under the guidance of Saint Francis of Assisi. The church was closed around 1796, then reopened in 1826, and underwent several changes towards the end of the 19th century. The renovations included a new Louis XV-style façade, the addition of the bell tower, and a modern version of the steeple. Inside the bell tower, you’ll find four bells, each with its own name. There’s Saint-Hilaire and Saint-Pierre, both cast in 1828, and then Emilie Henriette and Marie, which came from the bell tower of the Church of Saint-Joseph in Béjaïa, Algeria, before being relocated to Agen. If you're curious to step inside, remember to look up at the striking wooden framework, shaped like the hull of an upside-down boat. Also check out the grand organ, crafted by the famous Puget workshop, now listed as a historic monument, along with the choir’s stained glass windows, created by master glassmaker Alexandre Mauvernay, a friend and student of the renowned painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. The level of detail and artistry is truly something to see.