Saint-Roch Church

Saint-Roch church, sanctuary of Montpellier's patron saint

In this district of Montpellier, everything revolves around one name: Saint Roch. A native of the city, he is the patron saint of pilgrims and the healer of plague victims, invoked the world over. Yet it is here, in his native city, that his sanctuary stands. The Montpellier audio-guided tour stops here to tell of a universal saint deeply rooted in Montpellier.

A nineteenth-century sanctuary

Saint-Roch church, or Saint-Roch sanctuary, was built in the nineteenth century in a neo-Gothic style, on the site of the former Saint-Paul church. It is dedicated to Saint Roch, born in Montpellier, who is said to have devoted himself to caring for plague victims before being canonised. A place of pilgrimage, the building attracts the faithful who come to honour a saint whose cult radiates far beyond the borders.

What to see

The church appeals through its slender neo-Gothic architecture and its atmosphere of contemplation, dedicated to the memory of Saint Roch. The square in front of it, in the heart of the historic centre, is a lively thoroughfare. For pilgrims as for the curious, it is a stop that links the great history of the Compostela routes to the deep identity of Montpellier, the saint's native city.

Practical information

Saint-Roch church lies in the heart of the historic centre of Montpellier, on Place Saint-Roch, reachable on foot. Entry is generally free, but opening hours vary with the season and services; a working place of worship and pilgrimage, it can be visited with respect for celebrations. It is best to check the hours before coming.

Who was Saint Roch?

Born in Montpellier, Saint Roch is the patron of pilgrims and the healer of plague victims, whose cult radiates throughout the world; the city's church is dedicated to him.

When was Saint-Roch church built?

It was built in the nineteenth century in a neo-Gothic style, on the site of the former Saint-Paul church, in the heart of Montpellier.