The Notre-Dame d'Alençon basilica, in Orne, is located in the pedestrian center of the city.
Succeeding a Romanesque building, its construction began with the nave, in 1356, while the Hundred War was not over, on the will of Charles III, Duke of Alençon. The work continued in 1470 with the current side aisles. Work continued until the beginning of the 16th century.
However, at this date (shortly after 1500), the classical Gothic style was abandoned by the new master builder, Jehan Lemoine, who built the porch of the Transfiguration and endowed the nave with its star vault with richly ribbed decorated (flamboyant gothic style).
The Wars of Religion (gate mutilated but later restored, example of Flamboyant Gothic with its sculpted stone lacework) then a fire caused by lightning in 1744 (destruction of the bell tower, choir and transept) required reconstruction of these parts of the church and the construction of a bell tower with a squat appearance some time before the Revolution. Which leads to looting... New works are necessary during the second half of the 19th century.
Inside, among the rich works of sacred art to be admired, are eleven 16th-century Renaissance-style windows. Restored several times, they were "sheltered" during the Second World War. These stained glass windows evoke biblical scenes (Abraham's sacrifice, crossing the Red Sea) and episodes from the life of Mary.
It should also be noted that new large organs were installed in 2016 in the case dating from 1537.
The church was elevated to the rank of minor basilica in 2009 after the beatification of Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who was baptized at Alençon in 1873. A contemporary stained glass window is dedicated to this ceremony.
The new basilica is the subject of pilgrimages, even more numerous since the canonization in 2015 by Pope Francis of the Martin couple.
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