Saint Saturnin's Churchyard, Former cemetery in Vienne district, Blois, France.
Description
Saint Saturnin's Churchyard is a former burial site in Blois featuring covered galleries that frame a central garden area. Bodies were held temporarily before being moved to bone chambers built within the structure itself.
History
Construction began between 1516 and 1520 to solve overcrowding at existing burial grounds in the city. The gallery design allowed the space to hold more remains and organize them more effectively.
Culture
The gallery walls display sculptures showing death and loss, which reveal how medieval people thought about endings and remembering those who had passed.
Practical
Wear comfortable shoes as the stone floors under the galleries can be uneven in places. Local guides from the city and the heritage group offer tours that help you understand the layout and details.
Did you know?
Only four of these burial grounds remain in all of France, making this one exceptionally rare. The ongoing restoration work is uncovering details about how burials and remains were managed during medieval times.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (France).
Château de Blois
651 m
Maison de la Magie
627 m
Pont Jacques-Gabriel
393 m
Saint Nicholas Church
534 m
Saint Carilef's Chapel
636 m
Saint Laumer Abbey of Blois
479 m
Blois-Vienne Church
37 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Blois
649 m
Abbaye de Bourg-Moyen
494 m
Fontaine Louis-XII
531 m
Chapelle Sainte-Constance de Blois
626 m
Equestrian statue of Louis XII
657 m
Maison, 25 rue des Violettes
571 m
Fontaine Saint-Nicolas de Blois
550 m
Maison, 38 rue Saint-Lubin
563 m
Hôtel-Dieu de Blois
501 m
Hôtel de Jassand
636 m
Maison, 2 Rue du Puits Châtel
652 m
Maison, 36 rue Saint-Lubin
556 m
Cloître Saint-Saturnin de Blois
17 m
Grèneterie de Marmoutier
462 m
Maison, 30 Rue de la Foulerie
619 m
Maison, 41bis rue du Commerce
637 m
Hôtel d'Épernon
611 m
Hôtel d'Amboise
615 m
Fortifications de Blois
597 m
Maison, 11 rue Fontaine-des-Élus
639 m
Galerie Charles d'Orléans
642 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes