Catholic Tourist

Basilica · France

Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Alençon and St. Thérèse’s Baptistery

Alençon, Normandy, France

Baptismal FontBaptismal RobeBasilicaLiving Catholic ChurchMarriage ChurchSaints Louis and Zélie MartinSt. Thérèse of LisieuxActive Catholic minor basilica of the Diocese of Séez and authenticated sacramental site in the documented lives of Saints Louis, Zélie, and Thérèse

Why pilgrims come

A sacred place worth the journey.

The living Catholic basilica where Louis and Zélie Martin married in 1858 and their daughter Thérèse was baptized on January 4, 1873. The baptistery preserves the font used for her baptism, her baptismal robe, and a commemorative plaque; published copies of the baptismal act should not be confused with a verified permanent display of the original parish register.

TraditionCatholic

The pilgrim’s guide

What makes this visit meaningful

Continue from the family home to the sacramental heart of the Martin story. Here Louis and Zélie were married, and here their youngest daughter received baptism two days after her birth.

01

Thérèse’s baptismal font

Pray where Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin was baptized on January 4, 1873.

02

The baptismal robe

See a personal object connecting the sacrament to the Martin family’s documented history.

03

The marriage of Louis and Zélie

Honor the vocation that formed the family in the church where the couple married in 1858.

Continue nearby

More sacred stops for this journey

ShrineBirthplace of St. Thérèse and Martin Family HouseAlençon, FranceBasilicaBasilica of St. Thérèse of LisieuxLisieux, FranceMonasteryCarmel of Lisieux and Shrine of St. ThérèseLisieux, FranceHistoric SiteLes BuissonnetsLisieux, FranceCathedralSt. Peter’s Cathedral of LisieuxLisieux, France