Cathedral Saint Appolinaire

Cathedral San Appolinaire is the main church of Valence, in Plaza Des Ormeaux, and was built in the eleventh century. Its style mixes several artisanal processes from surrounding regions. Consecrated in 1095 it was dedicated to St. Corneille, Cyprien and Apollinaire. The bell tower was destroyed by a storm and in the fifteenth century a side chapel was added. The ambulatory allows passage of pilgrims en route to Santiago de Compostella. In 1785 Napoleon Bonaparte, a newcomer to Valence, attended Mass here and the heart of Pope Pius VI is preserved here, in a marble monument by Canova.