Saint-Trophime, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture
The Primatial Basilica of Saint-Trophime is a Roman Catholic church and former cathedral built between the 12th and 15th centuries in Arles. It is one of the most significant examples of Romanesque architecture, featuring remarkable sculptures on the portal, including the Last Judgement, and intricately carved columns in the adjacent cloister. Originally constructed on the site of the 5th-century Basilica of Arles, dedicated to Saint Stephen, the church underwent significant modifications in the 15th century when a Gothic choir was added to its Romanesque nave.
This church has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
Historical context: The ancient basilica
A Roman sarcophagus, believed to hold the remains of Saint Honoratus, is still visible inside the church. When the basilica was built in the late 11th century or early 12th century, Arles was a major city in Provence, with a population of 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants. Its port on the Rhône River made it a thriving hub of trade and culture.
At that time, Arles was formally independent as the Kingdom of Arles and attracted many religious orders, including the Knights Hospitaller, the Knights Templar, and various mendicant orders, all of which built churches within the city.
Construction began with the apse and transept in the late 11th century. By the mid-12th century, the nave and bell tower were completed. The Romanesque structure featured:
A central nave rising 20 meters high;
Collateral aisles on either side;
A transept supporting the square central bell tower;
A chevet with a hemispherical vault at the east end.
The windows in the nave were small and placed high above the level of the collateral aisles, a typical characteristic of Romanesque architecture.
The Cloister: A spiritual sanctuary
The cloister, constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries, was designed for the canons, priests responsible for assisting the bishop and managing church property. Under reforms initiated by Pope Gregory, the canons lived like monks, with shared spaces such as a dormitory, refectory, and the cloister itself, all enclosed within the basilica precinct and separated from the city by a wall.
The refectory (dining hall) and the chapter house (meeting room) were built first, followed by the dormitory, a large vaulted room located on the east side of the cloister.
Construction of the northern gallery and then the eastern gallery was completed around 1210–1220, but work on the remaining sections was abruptly halted.
Decline of Arles and Its Impact on the Basilica
The economic and political decline of Arles in the 13th century led to interruptions in the basilica's development. Key factors contributing to this decline included:
The Counts of Provence moving their residence from Arles to Aix-en-Provence;
The shift of ecclesiastical authority to the Papal Palace in Avignon;
The suppression of independence movements in Arles by Charles of Anjou in 1251.
Despite these challenges, the Primatial Basilica of Saint-Trophime and its cloister remain enduring symbols of Arles' rich spiritual and architectural heritage.
Tickets to the Basilica of Saint-Trophime and its cloister
The Primatial Basilica of Saint-Trophime and its cloister are must-see sites for anyone interested in medieval architecture, Romanesque sculpture, and the history of Arles. Entrance to the church is free. Admission to the cloister is charged. Tickets available on site.
Address
Place de la République
Zip Code: 13200
City: Arles, France
Cloister Opening Hours
November 2 to February 28: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
March 1 to April 30: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
May 2 to September 30: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM