Basilique de Pontmain

Historic site and monument
Basilica

53220 Pontmain

Pontmain - CP P.Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme (19) — ©Pascal Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme

Pontmain - CP P.Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme (11) — ©Pascal Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme

Pontmain - CP P.Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme (21) — ©Pascal Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme

Pontmain - CP P.Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme (31) — ©Pascal Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme

Pontmain - CP P.Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme (39) — ©Pascal Beltrami - Mayenne Tourisme

To the Glory of Mary, it was elevated to the rank of basilica on 21 February 1905. The neo-Gothic basilica is built entirely of granite.

Begun in June 1873, the basilica was completed in 1894 and consecrated on 15 October 1900, before being raised to the rank of basilica in 1905. Inside, the white limestone columns lighten the heaviness of the granite and emphasise the elevation of the vault. But above all, visitors are surprised by the extraordinary luminosity of the building. In fact, half the walls are covered in glass windows, each more sparkling than the last.