The Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1998 as part of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, was built between the 11th and 12th centuries in Soulac-sur-Mer.
A little history...
In the first century AD, after the death of the Virgin Mary, Saint Véronique, Saint Amadour and Saint Martial arrived in Soulac from Palestine.
After evangelizing the Médoc and Bazadais regions, Véronique built a modest oratory in memory of the Virgin.
She died in Soulac and was buried in the year 70. The Benedictine abbey, now a listed historic monument, was probably built in the 11th century, when pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela landed in Soulac from England.
Construction of the Romanesque church was not completed until the early 12th century.
In the 18th century, life and development on the dunes led to the church being almost completely silted up, and it was not until the mid-19th century that it was cleared. Notre Dame de la Fin des Terres remained buried under the dune for over 150 years. It was not restored to its current appearance until 1905, after a 45-year construction project. Its base, still buried 3.60 meters in the sand, reveals its greatest secret. In fact, it was covered by the dune for many years, hence the town's motto and coat of arms: "Ex arena rediviva surgit" - From the sands it rises again! Inside and out, our guides will tell you all about these legends.
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Fin des Terres
Place Aliénor d'Aquitaine
33780 Soulac-sur-Mer
https://www.gironde-tourisme.com/patrimoine-culturel/basilique-notre-dame-de-la-fin-des-terres/
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