Lisieux Basilica France

Day 57 Tuesday 30 June 2026

We began the day having a look at the amazing Lisieux Basilica. We then strolled through the streets of Bernay before driving for a couple of hours to our overnight spot in Clermont.

The Basilica of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, whose construction began in 1929 and its consecration in 1954, was largest church built in France in the 20th century. It is now the second largest pilgrimage site in France. 

Therese was beatified in 1923 and canonised in 1925 and has been a highly influential model of sanctity for Catholics and for others because of the simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life. She became a nun at 15 and died from tuberculosis at 24 in 1897. But in those short years she wrote her memoirs that were published just a year after her death. Both her parents were also canonised in 2015, all 3 of their relics are kept here.

As we entered there was a small hall that had wax figures depicting Therese’s life. There was also a movie we watched about her life.

The crypt was decorated with marble and mosaics also representing certain scenes from her life.

Much of the basilica's interior is covered with mosaics. It was all very impressive.

The pretty town of Bernay was developed around its abbey and its church dating back to the 11th century, the oldest one in Normandy. 

We strolled down the streets lined with medieval half-timbered houses. 

A quick kebab for lunch

We had planned to spend the afternoon visiting a chateau but when we got there it was not open today… so we decided, as we have seen a fair bit around here before, we would drive east for a couple of hours to Clermont (2024).

Old Guillam castle overlooking the Seine River

221km today