Cathédrale Saint-Lazare

The heart of the town lies before you, situated on the Way of St James, which begins in Vézelay. In 1120, Autun established a pilgrimage church dedicated to Saint Lazarus, whose relics it has held since the 10th century.
Saint Lazarus was a friend of Christ, the Risen One. It was Gérard, Bishop of Autun, who brought the saint’s relics back from the Abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille. Two centuries later, the construction of the Church of Saint Lazarus turned it into an effective means of communication.
Indeed, it was now linked to the Basilica of Vézelay, which in turn housed the relics of Mary Magdalene, Lazarus’s sister. From 1195 onwards, the building became a co-cathedral. Until the 18th century, Autun had a ‘summer cathedral’, from Easter to All Saints’ Day (Saint-Lazare), and a ‘winter cathedral’, from All Saints’ Day to Easter (Saint-Nazaire).

Construction of this building was completed in 1147, with one aim in mind: to attract pilgrims on the Way of St James to the city of Autun and thereby boost the town’s economic growth. Situated on land donated by Duke Hugh II, near Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, the pilgrimage church was built in the shape of a Latin cross. The side portal faced the entrance to the nave of Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, thus creating a clear route for pilgrims. It was therefore the need to accommodate these pilgrims that explains the unusual orientation of Saint-Lazare Church.
Indeed, its chancel faces south rather than east, towards Jerusalem, as is the case with most churches in France.
Upon entering through the side portal, pilgrims would make their first stop at the Chapel of Mary Magdalene, followed by a second stop as close as possible to the relics of Saint Lazarus. After a third stop at the Chapel of Saint Martha, they would exit beneath the tympanum depicting the Last Judgement.
In the 15th century, the exterior of the cathedral was transformed with the addition of chapels between the building’s buttresses and the creation of a Gothic spire by Jean Rolin, rising to a height of 80 metres. The original plan consists of a nave with seven bays flanked by side aisles. The nave rises over three levels. You simply have to admire the beauty of the details and the grandeur of the structure. In 1469, a fire ravaged the cathedral, which explains the difference in construction from the second level upwards. Indeed, the first level retains the layout of the Romanesque semicircular arches, whilst the second level features Gothic lancet windows.
The side aisles house the burial chapels created for the great local families. Look up and admire the richness of the carvings on this monument. Take particular note of the historiated capitals, with their figures and monsters drawn from biblical stories.

Access for people with reduced mobility via the Gislebertus Garden.

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