Sainte-Radegonde church

The Church of Sainte-Radegonde, in Poitiers

The Church of Sainte-Radegonde is a sanctuary of Poitiers with a fine Gothic porch bell tower, linked to a queen become a saint. The Poitiers audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this place of memory and pilgrimage, which shelters the tomb of Saint Radegonde.

The church of the queen become a saint

The Church of Sainte-Radegonde, recognisable by its fine Gothic porch bell tower, was formerly called Sainte-Marie-Hors-les-Murs, because it rose outside the old ramparts. It took its definitive name when Saint Radegonde was buried there, of whom it shelters the tomb and perpetuates the memory. Before being venerated as a saint, Radegonde was a princess become, in the sixth century, the wife of the Merovingian king Clotaire I. Fleeing the court and the violence, she chose to withdraw from the world, founded in Poitiers the monastery of Sainte-Croix and devoted her life to prayer, charity and the care of the most deprived. Her sanctity and her influence made her one of the great spiritual figures of the region. The church, a place of pilgrimage, keeps her memory, her crypt and her tomb. A sanctuary laden with history and spirituality, the Church of Sainte-Radegonde is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the sanctuary with a fine Gothic porch bell tower, formerly called Sainte-Marie-Hors-les-Murs, which shelters the tomb and the crypt of Saint Radegonde, a Merovingian princess and queen who withdrew from the world, founded the monastery of Sainte-Croix and devoted her life to prayer and charity. The Church of Sainte-Radegonde is a place of pilgrimage of Poitiers. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of Sainte-Radegonde lies in the historic centre of Poitiers, reachable on foot. A place of worship and pilgrimage, it can be visited with respect for services and for the memory of the saint; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Who was Saint Radegonde, at the origin of the church of Poitiers?

A princess become in the sixth century the wife of the Merovingian king Clotaire I; fleeing the court, she withdrew from the world, founded in Poitiers the monastery of Sainte-Croix and devoted her life to prayer and charity; the church shelters her tomb and perpetuates her memory.

Where is the Church of Sainte-Radegonde of Poitiers?

In the historic centre of Poitiers, in France.