Église Saint-André d'Agde, church located in Hérault, in France
Église Saint-André d'Agde stands on Place Gambetta in the old town. Its left square tower has a tall arched opening and a crenellated top; the main body is rough grey and brown stone with narrow arched windows. The right section uses larger, smoother grey blocks and holds a pointed-arch doorway with tall brown wooden doors, one open beside a short metal handrail and low steps.
Built in the 5th century, Saint-André is the oldest church in Agde. In 506 it hosted the Council of Agde, held under the Visigoth king Alaric II. The building has been classified as a monument historique since 3 April 1984.
The church was the seat of the Council of Agde, a gathering of bishops held in 506 under the Visigoth king Alaric II. Mass is still celebrated there every Thursday at 9:30, as the parish announces. The name Saint-André refers to the apostle Andrew.
The church stands on Place Gambetta in Agde's old town, reached on foot through narrow streets; leave the car outside the historic centre. The main entrance is the tall pointed-arch doorway with brown wooden doors, reached by low steps with a metal handrail. Mass is said on Thursdays at 9:30 am.
Beneath the floor lie remains from ancient times including sarcophagi from the 5th and 6th centuries that were uncovered and restored during excavations in 1998. These findings reveal that the site served as a sacred place long before the current church structure was built.
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