A little history of Saint-Apollinaire cathedral in Valence

We found in Valence a primitive oratory on the foundation of our current cathedral, later transformed into a church dedicated to saint Etienne ("Stephen").

In the 11th century, bishop Lambert extended this church by adding a chapel. In 1095, he dedicated the cathedral.

In 1281, a lightning struck the bell-tower and destroyed it. During wars of Religion, vaults were damaged, and our cathedral remained in ruin until the beginning of the 17th century.

The bell-tower was entirely demolished in 1838, and the current one was raised.