Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse, Lisieux

LISIEUX, FRANCE

Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse

A monumental Catholic basilica dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, drawing over two million pilgrims annually to this Norman shrine.

At a glance

This minor basilica ranks as France’s second-largest pilgrimage destination, after Lourdes. The church accommodates 4,000 worshippers and receives more than two million visitors each year, testament to the enduring devotion to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

History

The basilica is dedicated to Thérèse Martin (1873–97), a Carmelite nun whose spiritual autobiography and doctrine of “the little way” made her one of Catholicism’s most beloved modern saints. Pope John Paul II visited the basilica on 2 June 1980, affirming its importance in the Church’s spiritual landscape.

What you see

The large basilica is designed to accommodate substantial numbers of pilgrims. Its architectural presence reflects the scale of devotion it serves, offering space for prayer and contemplation within a contemporary Catholic shrine.

Cultural significance

The basilica stands as a principal center of Catholic pilgrimage in northern France. It represents modern Catholic devotion to Saint Thérèse, whose writings on spirituality and inner transformation continue to inspire believers worldwide. The site is integral to understanding twentieth-century Catholic spirituality and its expression in sacred architecture.

Key facts

Location: Lisieux, France
Capacity: 4,000 people
Annual visitors: More than two million
Status: Minor basilica; France’s second-largest pilgrimage site
Papal visit: John Paul II, 2 June 1980
Coordinates: 49.1396°N, 0.2364°E

Practical information & getting there

The basilica is located in Lisieux in the Normandy region of northern France. As a major pilgrimage destination, it welcomes visitors throughout the year. Check ahead for service times and specific information about visiting hours and facilities for pilgrims.

Sources & resources

Find it on the map

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Events here — now on & upcoming

Feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux — October 1
01 Oct 2027
See the event →

Travel tips from CHO

Under 26 and living in the EU? Walk in free

The permanent collections of France’s national museums have been free to 18-to-25-year-olds resident in an EU country since 2009, and the national monuments — châteaux, abbeys, fortresses — apply the same rule. Bring photo ID: it is checked at the door. The monuments are also free to everyone on the first Sunday of the month in winter, from November to March.

Who gets in free →

In September, the doors that are usually shut open

For one long weekend every September, some fifty European countries run the European Heritage Days together: palaces, workshops, archives and private houses that are closed the rest of the year let visitors in, almost always for nothing. France sets its own dates, and they are published a few weeks ahead.

Dates, country by country →

Arrive already connected

Maps, opening hours and tickets all need data, and roaming outside your own network still costs more than the ticket. A travel eSIM for France installs on your phone before you leave home and works the moment you land — no queue at the airport, no physical card to swap.

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