Our take
With Saint-Nectaire, Issoire, Saint-Saturnin and Notre-Dame du Port, one of the five churches that sum up Auvergne Romanesque art. In the choir stands a Virgin in Majesty carved around 1170, in walnut covered with gilded silver, still carried in procession on Ascension Day.
A major Romanesque church of Auvergne, built in the 12th century. In the choir, a Virgin in Majesty carved around 1170, in walnut and gilded silver.
A Romanesque basilica built in the 12th century (a deed of gift mentions it in 1166) in the village of Orcival, one of the five major churches of Auvergne Romanesque art, along with Saint-Nectaire, Issoire, Saint-Saturnin and Notre-Dame du Port (Clermont). Listed as a Monument Historique (a protected French heritage site) in 1840, on the first official French list of protected monuments. At the heart of the building, a 12th-century Virgin in Majesty (around 1170) in walnut covered with plates of silver and vermeil, about 74 cm high, is displayed in the choir. Marian pilgrimage on Ascension Thursday, annual procession. Free entry.
Why we love it
- Built in the 12th century
- One of the 5 major churches of Auvergne Romanesque art
- 12th-century Virgin in Majesty in walnut, silver and vermeil
- Listed as a Monument Historique in 1840
Top tip
Go on Ascension Thursday: dressed in a golden cloak, the Virgin is carried by barefoot men to the spot known as Tombeau de la Vierge. The village of Orcival is worth a lunch stop after the visit. The Roches Tuilière and Sanadoire, then Lac de Guéry, are about ten minutes away by car.
Before you go
- Ascension Thursday, for the annual procession of the Virgin.
- Free entry, open every day in 2026: 08:00-19:30 from Easter to All Saints' Day, 08:00-18:00 from All Saints' Day to Easter
- Can be combined with Lac de Guéry and the Roches Tuilière, 10 minutes away
- Lunch break in the village of Orcival after the visit
Practical info
- Address
- Pl. de la Basilique, 63210 Orcival, France
63210 Orcival - Monday8h30–19h30
- Tuesday8h30–19h30
- Wednesday8h30–19h30
- Thursday8h30–19h30
- Friday8h30–19h30
- Saturday8h30–19h30
- Today8h30–19h30
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 1,619 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
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It's for you if
- You're touring the five great Romanesque churches
- You want to see a gilded 12th-century Romanesque Virgin
- You're combining it with Lac de Guéry and the Roches Tuilière
Give it a miss if
- You're expecting a developed tourist site: this is a living church
- You'd rather avoid crowds: skip Ascension Thursday and its procession
Your logbook
Around Notre-Dame d'Orcival Basilica
6 spots in and around Orcival, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
Where to stay nearby
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On foot
On footHikes around Notre-Dame d'Orcival Basilica
On footOn foot
On footFrom Pont des Eaux to Mazayes (stage 2 of the Dômes loop)
Start: Pont des Eaux
- 10.6 km
- +160 m
- 3 h 30 min
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