Basilique d'Ars

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The basilica of Ars also called basilica of the Curé d'Ars or basilica of Sainte-Philomène d'Ars also known as basilica of Saint-Sixte d'Ars-sur-Formans is a basilica located in the commune of Ars-sur-Formans in the department of Ain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. The basilica is part of the Shrine of Ars. The former Romanesque church and the basilica were classified as historical monuments on 2 February 1982.

History: The basilica of Ars was built from 1862, near the ancient Romanesque church dating from the 12th century. The works were financed by a lottery whose two large lots were the Pray-Dieu and the watch of the Curé d'Ars, and which earned 100,000 francs. It is named after Saint Philomena, in honour of which an iconographic program is developed by architect Pierre Bossan, decorator painter Paul Borel and sculptor Charles Dufraine. It also seems that part of the realization is due to Louis Sainte-Marie Perrin. In 1986, Pope John Paul II, during his papal visit to France, visited Ars-sur-Formans in tribute to his former parish priest. In 2010, the basilica was the tourist destination of...