Basilique Notre Dame de la Daurade

Basilique Notre Dame de la Daurade in Toulouse was founded in 410 AD. Romans still ruled the area and Toulouse was one of their major cities in the south of Gaul. The Emperor Honorius allowed the temple of Apollo to be converted into a Christian Church. The early Christians used the temple until sometime in the 6th century when construction on a new church began. It is a bit unclear what happened to the temple, if it was somehow incorporated into the new structure or razed and the new church built over top. In 431, the Church Council of Ephese initiates formal devotion to the Virgin Mary. It is possible that the drive to build a new church on this site is related to the declarations of the Council of Ephese. Once the church is built, there are references to a black statue of the Virgin Mary. There are 44 other churches in France with a Virgin Noir. The new church is decorated all over with golden mosaics, hence the name: Notre Dame de la Daurade; deaurata is the Latin word for gold.

Notre Dame de la Daurade is located on the banks of the Garonne River. During the 9th century a group of Benedictine monks build a monastery attached to the church. Over the years, the monks have some difficulties working together, many leave the monastery, and the church falls into disrepair. The Garonne River, fed by snow melts in the Pyrenees floods frequently and quite devastatingly. The City of Toulouse makes a major project of improving the riverfront by building quays and flood walls for the protection of the citizens. This construction includes the area of the Notre Dame de la Daurade. A total renovation of the church begins in 1761. Using information from various sources, I determined that the building had to move to make way for the quays. The new structure incorporates several of the old walls, and the building now faces the river. Work on the church was interrupted by the French Revolution and the few remaining monks abandon the monastery. After the Revolution, the city of Toulouse rents the monastery properties using them for a cotton factory and then a tobacco factory. Today the buildings are part of the Fine Arts University.

Worship at the church stops during the Revolution and many of the treasures of the church are hidden for safe keeping, including the statue of the Virgin Noir. Once the Revolution is over and the right to worship is restored (1795), the statue of the Virgin is moved back to the church. The fervent devotion to the Virgin alarms the administrators of Toulouse so greatly, that the statue is taken from the church and burned in a public display in the Square of the Capitole. In 1807, a new statue is commissioned and constructed based upon paintings and other recollections of the original statue. Today the statue is given a special place in a side altar. The garments the statue wears are changed according to the church liturgical calendar. Haute couture designers and others have donated the wardrobe for the statue. The history of this statue as mentioned dates back to the 5th century. During difficulty times in the city, the monks would put the statue on a palate and lead a procession through the city to drive out the evil. When the statue was rebuilt, it was dedicated to expectant mothers and a safe delivery. Today, this devotion remains with recipients of the blessings acknowledging their good fortune by donations and inscribing special marble plaques that line the walls of the church.

During the reconstruction of the church, the original organ was sold to the cathedral in Pamiers. In 1860 the move to get a new organ accelerated. Parts from various 18th century organs were obtained, rebuilt and finally restored to a great masterpiece. Work was completed in 1889. This organ is listed as a historical monument in 1979, and was restored again in 1990. During the original work on this large organ, there is a change in the music in the church. Choirs become a more popular part of the church services. Large pipe organs overpower the choir, so smaller Chancel Organs located near the choir become more popular in churches. By 1879, Notre Dame de la Daurade is the only church in Toulouse without a Chancel Organ! So the church decides to buy one. Theodore Puget and Son, famous organ makers of the time are commissioned to build this organ. The original cost of the organ was 12,000 francs for the parts and 1,500 francs for the organ case. The Puget family maintained this organ until 1960. This organ was restored in 1991-2, and is considered the most interesting Chancel Organ in Touluose.

Notre Dame de la Daurade is one of several very early Christian Churches in Toulouse. The prior post was about St. Sernin, which is located not too far away. The history of the area is inseparable from the history of the Church. Many of the churches, monasteries and convents are no longer standing, but artifacts are kept in the Museum of the Augustine’s. Of the ones remaining, some are not in great shape; others have been remade into concert halls or galleries.