Valcabrère - Basilica Saint-Just-de-Valcabrère

Isolated, surrounded by an old graveyard, near the village of Valcabrère (pop. ~150) stands the extraordinary Basilica Saint-Just, erected within the 11th and 12th century for the pilgrims walking the "Chemin du Piemont". The basilica is only about half an hour walk east of the Cathedral of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, the seat of an ancient diocese.

In Roman time the area was densely populated and the settlement may have had about 30.000 inhabitants, before it got looted by the Vandals within the 5th century.

When the building process of the Basilica started, there were still lots of Roman ruins around. These older material got reused here. The basilica has some impressive sculptural carvings. Here tourists have gathered in front of the portal, admiring the tympanum.