Basilica of Our Lady of Avesnières

About

Notre-Dame d'Avesnières Basilica is a basilica located in Laval, France. It is located in the Avesnières district, on the right bank of the Mayenne River and south of the city centre. She is part of the parish « La Trinité - Avesnières - Cordeliers", which includes the cathedral of Laval and the church of the Cordeliers.

The church has existed at least since the 11th century, but it got its present appearance in the 12th century, when Benedictines installed a priory there. The nuns left Avesnières during the Hundred Years' War and the church then became simple parish church. It was elevated to the rank of minor basilica in 1898 by Pope Leo XIII.

The Romanesque building also has a bell tower combining Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Its bedside, set and punctuated with vaulted chapels in cul-de-four, is its most remarkable element. The basilica finally has a number of ancient statues.

The church is on the list of the first 1,034 French historical monuments classified in 1840.