Église Sainte-Croix
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Église Sainte-Croix

4.4
·804 reviews·Bordeaux, France

A magnificent Romanesque church and former abbey in Bordeaux, featuring a historic 18th-century pipe organ and a facade rich with layers of time.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Likely open, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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Église Sainte-Croix

Église Sainte-Croix

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Likely open, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A magnificent Romanesque church and former abbey in Bordeaux, featuring a historic 18th-century pipe organ and a facade rich with layers of time.

4.4
(804 reviews)

"Magnificent building, well worth visiting despite signs of decay."

Vertical photo
TIP

Confirm Opening Times

Doors can be unexpectedly closed. Check local listings or try to confirm hours beforehand. :clock1:

Look for Donation Points

If you appreciate the church, consider leaving a donation to aid in its preservation. :moneybag:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.4 · 804 reviews

Type

Church

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Impressive Romanesque Architecture

Impressive Romanesque Architecture

Exterior and Interior

Admire the grandeur of this historic church, showcasing beautiful Romanesque design both inside and out.

18th-Century Pipe Organ

18th-Century Pipe Organ

Interior

Experience the beauty of a historic pipe organ, a testament to the church's rich musical heritage.

Layers of History on Facades

Layers of History on Facades

Exterior

Appreciate the unique character of the church's facade, preserved with visible layers of time.

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Planning Your Visit

Check Opening Hours

Opening times can be inconsistent, with many visitors reporting the church being closed unexpectedly. It's best to confirm hours before your visit to avoid disappointment.

Be Prepared for Preservation Work

The church is a historic building and may have ongoing preservation efforts or construction. While this can affect the exterior view, the interior is often still accessible and worth seeing.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Likely open, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Weekends (check hours)
Why
May have events or services
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Un enfant de trois ans dans un état critique après qu’une rambarde lui est tombée sur la tête. Il se trouvait dans l’enceinte de l’église de Sainte-Croix quand l’incident s’est produit. Une enquête a été initiée.
@radioplus.mu
11K likes • 357.9K views

Confirm Opening Times

Doors can be unexpectedly closed. Check local listings or try to confirm hours beforehand. :clock1:

Look for Donation Points

If you appreciate the church, consider leaving a donation to aid in its preservation. :moneybag:

Pluie d’hommages au petit Adam. Blessé à la tête vendredi dernier, alors qu’il jouait dans la cour de l’église Père Laval, à Sainte-Croix, l’enfant a succombé à une fracture du crâne ce matin après 4 jours d’hospitalisation, plongeant la famille Atiave dans la douleur.
@radioplus.mu
10.6K likes • 243.7K views
reddit.com

St. Croix - Things we MUST do

Partner and I just booked for June 1 thru 8 2024. We are staying on the southeast coast, at an all inclusive resort... We know nothing about St. Croix. Our location looks a little remote... How is local transportation? Is a car advisable? A necessity? What are the must see/do…

Appreciate the Historic Facade

Even if closed, the exterior showcases layers of history and unique architectural details. :building_construction:

Nearby Dining Options

There are restaurants and cafes nearby for a snack or drink after your visit. ☕

reddit.com

What to do on a first visit to St. Croix

I currently live alone up in North Louisiana and work as a public high school teacher. I'm a beach lover and am exploring potential places I may want to sell my house to relocate to in the next 4ish or so years. So far, I like what I've read about St. Croix and what I've seen on…

Tips

from all over the internet

Confirm Opening Times

Doors can be unexpectedly closed. Check local listings or try to confirm hours beforehand. :clock1:

Look for Donation Points

If you appreciate the church, consider leaving a donation to aid in its preservation. :moneybag:

Appreciate the Historic Facade

Even if closed, the exterior showcases layers of history and unique architectural details. :building_construction:

Nearby Dining Options

There are restaurants and cafes nearby for a snack or drink after your visit. ☕

What Travellers Say

4.4
(804 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Église Sainte-Croix to be a beautiful and impressive church with significant Romanesque architecture and a historic pipe organ. However, many report issues with inconsistent opening hours and occasional ongoing preservation work, which can lead to disappointment.

"Such a beautiful church. Very impressive both outside an in. Sadly it has serious issues with dampness/humidity and the signs of decay are all to apparent. For all that, it is still a magnificent building and well worth visiting. A more obvious donation point would do no harm."

Alan Farquhar

"This is one of the two most impressive churches in Bordeaux. I like the way that the building is preserved with layers of time kept on the facades, creating a sense of a unique and attractive church in its own way. Unfortunately, when I visited, the square in front of the church was fenced for archaeology, and the church was not open, so I couldn't experience the space inside."

Hung Khuat

"We walked by several times and the place was closed. But this time the doors are open we had the opportunity to go inside and see the interior of the church. It’s built in the 1700s and was renovated a few times. It has a statue of St. George on the façade and upper left side.

If you are a church fan, this would be a place to come with me however there’s no sign in the door let you know when the doors are open.

This one is a lot construction going on just on the outside so it makes it a little bit not so sexy there. There’s a little square nearby couple restaurants you can have a drink a little snack or two enjoy yourself."

Corbett Santana Videographer

What People Like

Beautiful architecture
Historic pipe organ
Unique facade

What People Dislike

Inconsistent opening hours
Occasional closures
Signs of decay

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Église Sainte-Croix is located in Bordeaux, France. It's accessible by public transport, with several bus lines stopping nearby. Walking from the city center is also an option if you enjoy exploring the streets. 🚌 🚶

Parking in the vicinity of Église Sainte-Croix can be challenging due to its central location. It's recommended to use public transportation or consider parking garages a short walk away. 🚗

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to Église Sainte-Croix is generally free, as it is a functioning church. However, donations are appreciated to help with its upkeep and preservation. ❤️

Opening hours can be inconsistent, and visitors have reported finding it closed even during expected times. It's advisable to check local listings or try to confirm hours on the day of your visit. :alarm_clock:

While it may be open for services on Sundays, access for general visiting might be limited. It's best to verify the specific Sunday hours if you plan to visit on a weekend. ⛪

During mass or religious services, visitors may be asked to remain quiet or may not be able to explore freely. It's respectful to be mindful of ongoing services. 🙏

As a place of worship, visitors are expected to dress respectfully and maintain a quiet demeanor. Photography might be restricted in certain areas or during services. :camerawithflash:

📸 📸 Photography

Photography is generally permitted inside Église Sainte-Croix, but it's always a good idea to be discreet and respectful, especially during services. Avoid using flash photography. :iphone:

The facade offers a unique visual with its layers of history. Inside, the architecture and the historic pipe organ are prime subjects for photography. 📷

🎫 🏛️ History & Architecture

Église Sainte-Croix is primarily a Romanesque church, showcasing the characteristic features of this architectural period. :classical_building:

Originally a former abbey, Église Sainte-Croix has a long history and has undergone renovations over the centuries, preserving layers of its past. 📜

The facade is noted for its preservation of 'layers of time,' giving it a unique and attractive appearance. You might also spot a statue of St. George. :statueofliberty:

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