Boulogne sur Mer, Cathedral Dome

For us, Boulogne was the surprise city along this part of the French coast (English Channel). It is still surrounded by walls built in the 1200s on Roman foundations. A castle with a moat and above all, the Notre Dame Basilica with its Italian Dome, make Boulogne an interesting place to visit.

The Basilica was built between 1827 and 1866 and dominates Boulogne as the Sacré Coeur of Montmartre dominates Paris. As we approached and drove through the town the beautiful dome was visible, but when we finally parked right in front of what we thought was the cathedral, the streets were so narrow we could no longer see a dome anywhere.

After entering the cathedral and enjoying the nave and the accompanying art work, we finally decided the dome must be on some other building. But before we left the sanctuary, we went around in back of the altar and looked up — there at last, the cupola of the dome. Not nearly so large as St. Peter’s in Rome of course, and in need of paint and renovation, but beautiful nonetheless.