Clermont-Ferrand Notre-Dame-du-Port

Pope Urban II preached the First Crusade at Clermont in November 1095. A few streets from the Gothic cathedral, built of dark Volvic stone, the Romanesque basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port was rebuilt in the twelfth century.

In its crypt pilgrims pray before a Black Madonna, a later copy of an older image. The basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

Further reading: Black Madonnas of France: A Pilgrim’s Guide; Romanesque France: Cluny and the Churches of the Pilgrim Roads.

• The crypt of Notre-Dame-du-PortThe Black Madonna.
• The cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’AssomptionGothic, in dark Volvic stone.

• November 17, in the Roman MartyrologyFeast of Saint Gregory of Tours

• Saint Gregory of ToursBishop of Tours and historian of the Franks

• Via RomanicaThe Romanesque Way, seven daysDay VII, Clermont-Ferrand to Paris

About three and a half hours by train from Paris, or about an hour by direct flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

• OrcivalThe Basilica of Notre-Dame of Orcival, about 13 miles as the crow flies
• Saint-NectaireThe Church of Saint-Nectaire, about 14 miles as the crow flies
• SouvignyThe Priory of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, about 52 miles as the crow flies
• Le Puy-en-VelayThe Cathedral of Notre-Dame du Puy, about 64 miles as the crow flies