Saint-Sauveur church

The Church of Saint-Sauveur, in La Rochelle

The Church of Saint-Sauveur is a church of old La Rochelle with an eventful past, founded in the twelfth century by the monks of the island of Aix and several times ravaged by the flames and the wars. The La Rochelle audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary rebuilt in the Louis XIII style, whose bell tower keeps elements of medieval origin.

The sanctuary thrice reborn

Built in the twelfth century by the monks of the island of Aix, a small pedestrian island off La Rochelle, the Church of Saint-Sauveur, formerly called Sainte-Madeleine, has known a history strewn with pitfalls, in the image of the torments of the town. First ravaged by a fire at the beginning of the fifteenth century, it was then destroyed a century and a half later by the Protestants of La Rochelle, during the wars of religion that deeply marked the town, then a bastion of the Reformation. Rebuilt a third time, in the Louis XIII style of the end of the seventeenth century, it was again prey to the flames, and only its portal was spared by this ultimate fire. But, despite these multiple adventures, raise the head: the bell tower, for its part, resisted and keeps elements of medieval origin, witnesses of the oldest stones of the sanctuary. You must imagine the perseverance of the faithful, tirelessly rebuilding their church after each ordeal. Inside, in the calm conducive to contemplation, the building shelters fine furniture, paintings and an organ, in a peaceful atmosphere. Today restored and still in activity, Saint-Sauveur watches over the old district, near the Vieux-Port. Its tormented history tells on its own that of La Rochelle. A medieval church and a rebuilt sanctuary, the Church of Saint-Sauveur is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, a church founded in the twelfth century by the monks of the island of Aix, several times ravaged by fires and destroyed by the Protestants during the wars of religion; rebuilt in the Louis XIII style, it keeps a bell tower with elements of medieval origin and shelters inside furniture, paintings and an organ, in a peaceful atmosphere. The Church of Saint-Sauveur is a sanctuary of old La Rochelle. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of Saint-Sauveur lies in the old district of La Rochelle, near the Vieux-Port, reachable on foot. A place of worship in activity, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

What is the history of the Church of Saint-Sauveur of La Rochelle?

Founded in the twelfth century by the monks of the island of Aix, it was ravaged by a fire in the fifteenth century, destroyed by the Protestants during the wars of religion, then rebuilt in the Louis XIII style before being burnt again; only the portal and the bell tower, with elements of medieval origin, have crossed these ordeals.

Where is the Church of Saint-Sauveur in La Rochelle?

In the old district of La Rochelle, near the Vieux-Port, in France.