Basilique Saint-Julien, Brioude

The Basilica Saint-Julien de Brioude is a so-called Auvergne Romanesque basilica located in Brioude, in the French department of Haute-Loire in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Classified as a historical monument in 1840, the basilica has three stars in the Michelin Green Guide since 2017.

One should not consider that an "Auvergne Romanesque style" exists in a formal way. It is a denomination made by the old authors: the research, today, does not propose this kind of reading any more. Indeed, Romanesque art goes beyond the borders of the regions and does not really take on a single character, the regional schools of Romanesque art being called into question. To deepen the subject one can refer to recent studies. Already Marcel Durliat declared in 1993 at the editions Citadelles & Mazenod, "Saint-Julien de Brioude is isolated in a magnificent originality". This originality is underlined by recent studies, recalling the marginal and original character of Brioude. Saint-Julien is located in the southern margin of the old diocese of Clermont.

Dedicated to Saint Julien de Brioude, who is said to have been martyred there in 304, the ancient collegiate church is the largest Romanesque church in Auvergne, although Anne Courtillé raises questions about the description. To know the legend of the martyrdom of Julian of Brioude, those interested can read the studies of the academics in the publications of the colloquiums of Brioude, as well as the legend related by the abbot Cubizolles, the latter being one of the pioneers of the rediscovery of the history of Brioude.