The Basilica Sainte-Marie-Madeleine de Vézelay is an ancient 12C abbey built between 1120 and 1150, the abbey is a major illustration of Romanesque architecture and Romanesque art in general, with in particular the interior tympanum of the Narthex which represents a Christ in glory. Rebuilt at the end of the 12C, the choir presents a Gothic style which increased brightness and contributes to strengthening the symbolism around the theme of divine light. Going from the narthex to the nave and then to the choir, the visitor progresses from an obscure space to an increasingly bright space. The Benedictine monks resettle at the top of the Vézelay hill. Pope John VIII dedicates the first Carolingian church of the monastery in 878, whose crypt remains today. In 1037, Father Geoffroy reformed the abbey. He exhibits the relics of Marie-Madeleine. Miracles occur. Pilgrims flock and make Vézelay an important crossing point on the way to Saint-James of-Compostela. In 1050 the abbey, which was originally placed under the invocation of Sainte Marie, passed under the patronage of Marie-Madeleine. In 1058 the pope solemnly recognized the relics.
In 1790, the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine abbey became a simple parish church, and the canons college was abolished on December 6 of the same year. The abbey is sold during the French revolution and serves as a stone quarry ; there is nothing left. Only the chapter room is still in good conservation, serving today as a chapel. Along this room, there are a few arcades of the cloister. In 1793, the exterior and interior sculptures of the portals were beheaded and mutilated by Hubert Lerond, a mason who then worked in the restoration of the church, On July 23, 1876, Victor-Félix Bernadou, Archbishop of Sens, delivered the relics of Sainte Marie Madeleine discarded by Pope Martin IV and kept to the treasury of the Cathedral of Sens since 1281. In 1920, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine was erected by the Vatican to the rank of basilica and the pilgrimages can officially resume. From 1953 to 1993, the Franciscans succeeded the Benedictines.
Something not to missed if time or buy like we the Vézelay vineyard produces light white and red wines. The whites made from Chardonnay have been entitled since 1996 to the Bourgogne Vézelay geography name (within Burgundy AOP), then since 2017 to a appellation AOC and AOP, Another wonderful film we watch since younger days even before living in France was filmed in Vézelay ; the La Grande Vadrouille (1966) Comedy produced by Gérard Oury, with Bourvil and Louis de Funès, Other things to see here are the ramparts, the old Saint-Etienne church, the old Saint-Pierre church, La Chapelle Sainte-Croix called today the Cordelle, was built in the year which followed the preaching of the second crusade in 1146 by Saint Bernard, and the cross or Croix Saint-Bernard.
This Vézelay has a long history will condense as much as possible as I like the history, Girart de Roussillon receives the region by a favor by Louis le Pieux and chose around 858 to ensure the sustainability of his possessions by transforming them into two Benedictine communities, respectively male and female: Pothieres and Vézelay. He thus founded a monastery of women on the current site of Saint-Père. He has a villa, surrounded by large areas. The finage in which the dwellings are called Vezeliacus which becomes Vizeliac then Vézelay. Elected in 1037, Father Geoffroy reforms the abbey and convinces his contemporaries that the abbey has the remains of Marie-Madeleine: hence pilgrimages, therefore offerings and donations. Between the years 1050 and 1250, Vézelay was the largest Magdalenian sanctuary in Western Europe. In 1095, Urbain II preaches the first crusade; The construction of the abbey is decided. It was consecrated in 1104. The narthex or church of penitent pilgrims was built; It was only dedicated until 1132. In 1146, its reputation was such that Bernard de Clairvaux preaches the second crusade there at a place called La Croix Saint Bernard, On July 2, 1190, Philippe Auguste and Richard the Lion-Hearted met here for the third crusade and leave it taking it two different roads.
If around 1215 the abbey is completed the various popes and the kings of France cannot protect the religious community. Pope Clément IV is launched an investigation to understand the reasons for such a forfeiture and orders a solemn verification of the Marie Madeleine’s relics. King Saint Louis joined forces with the ceremony on April 24, 1267. But in 1279, the pope proclaimed that the body found in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is indeed the body of Marie Madeleine. The pilgrims turn away from Vézelay and the prosperity also, In 1280 an order signed by Philippe Le Hardi proclaims the more or less complete attachment of Vézelay to the royal domain. The abbey becomes a simple collegiate church, a chapter of canons replaces the Benedictine monks and especially the domain is put in the hands of Commendatory abbots. From 1840 to 1859, the very long restoration campaign of the abbey church of Vézelay was led by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, On July 22, 1876, the feast of Sainte Madeleine was restored in 1920,The old church Abbey, parish since the French revolution, receives from the Vatican, the title basilica, to report its historical importance for Christianity in 1993, Vézelay sees the return of a Catholic monastic community, with the installation near the basilica of monastic fraternities of Jerusalem.
The official Basilica of Vezelay: https://www.basiliquedevezelay.org/
The official Sanctuary cities on Vézelay : https://www.villes-sanctuaires.com/en/villes-sanctuaires/vezelay
The official most beautiful villages of France on Vézelay : https://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/fr/nos-villages/vezelay/
The Unesco World Heritage Sites on Vézelay : https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/84
The local Grand Vezélay tourist office on the basilica : https://www.destinationgrandvezelay.com/vezelay/?lang=en
The town of Vézelay on parkings on the hill : http://www.vezelay.fr/site/stationnement-et-circulation
There you go folks, a wonderful trio of cathedrals indeed, You should visit them while in France, worth the detour, me think Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Basilica Sainte Marie Madeleine of Vézelay !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!! 
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
One of my favorite churches.
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Indeed wonderful! Thanks for stopping by Cheers
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