Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Basilique de l'Immaculée-Conception)
About Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Basilique de l'Immaculée-Conception)
This Neo-Gothic basilica, built between 1855-1859 by architect Victor Ruprich-Robert, holds the distinction of being the first building in France dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, constructed just months after Pope Pius IX defined the dogma in December 1854. The first stone was laid on March 26, 1855, and the church opened for worship on January 1, 1859. Inside, visitors find a wooden choir decorated with sculpted scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, statues by sculptor Leharivel-Durocher, Stations of the Cross, and stained glass windows by Maréchal and Champigneulle. The basilica was inscribed as a Monument Historique in 2006. It remains an active pilgrimage site for Marian devotion throughout the year.
Interesting Facts
When Pope Pius IX defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854, it sparked a wave of religious building across Catholic Europe. The Diocese of Séez moved with remarkable speed—within just four months, on March 26, 1855, they laid the foundation stone for this basilica, making it the first building in all of France dedicated to the newly proclaimed dogma.
The basilica stands as a separate religious building from the nearby Cathedral of Sées (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Sées), which is a 13th-century Gothic structure. While the medieval cathedral serves as the bishop's seat, this 19th-century basilica was specifically built as a Marian pilgrimage shrine, giving the small town of Sées two distinct major religious buildings within walking distance of each other.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Place Jean Eudes, 61500 Sées, France
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