The crypt of Notre-Dame basilica, a historical site near Nausicaá

More than a visit, an experience. Imagine a maze of underground rooms, a 1,400 sq.m labyrinth invites you to go back in time and grasp more than 2,000 years of history. Head for the upper town of Boulogne-sur-Mer! Under the Notre-Dame basilica extends one of the largest crypts in France. One of the most astonishing too.

Plunged into the dark, the visitors wander from one treasure to another as if they were discovering one of the greatest masterpieces in a fine arts museum. More than 400 pieces are on show all along the way: lapidaries from every era (ancient wall, capitals with lions from the 11th century, gothic cornice from the 13th century, 17th century choir enclosure and rood screen), a remarkable sacred art collection (gold and silver work, statues, paintings) not to mention an astonishing set of murals…

 

The murals

The Boulogne crypt has no less than 4,000 sq.m of murals! Highlighting the place's astonishing nature, all the walls are covered with frescoes painted between 1840 to 1863 by unknown artists. The vaults are covered with a decor of coloured facings or arabesques whereas the walls are adorned with 160 large religious scenes, treated in grisaille. The history of Christianity and of Notre-Dame de Boulogne-sur-Mer is thus revealed in an unexpected way.

As the crypt served as the foundations for the basilica, you can also have fun as you wander around trying to guess whether you're under the choir or the nave. It was in the early 19th century that the Romanesque crypt was discovered when the basilica was being built over the remains of the old mediaeval church. The 19th century crypt was built all round the old crypt. Whether you take a guide or not, more than 2,000 years' history unfold before you.