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After seven years of work, the new rose window the Saint-Sernin basilica comes to close this extensive renovation project of the eponymous square. The stained glass window which now adorns the rose window was designed by the internationally renowned artist Jean-Michel Othonielin collaboration with Ateliers Loire.

Ultimate piece of work

Since 2017, Place Saint-Sernin and its basilica, a jewel of Toulouse heritage, have been undergoing renovations. After the square, the square or even the gates, the “western massif” (west facade, Editor’s note) and its rose window constituted the final stage of this work. A project aimed at “returning the beauty of this remarkable monument, classified as World Heritage of Humanity under the Routes of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle”.

“We took a new look at the rose window”

Without a stained glass window for several years, the Saint-Sernin rose window has regained its last letters of nobility. Tinted with blue, this creation by Jean-Michel Othoniel extends over 5.5 meters in diameter and overlooks the entrance to the basilica.

“We managed to take a new look at this rose window and the result is truly spectacular. It's even better than we imagined», rejoices Jean-Luc Moudenc, the mayor of Toulouse.

Subtle work

Contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, known for his creations in pearls or glass blocks, received carte blanche from the town hall for the design of the stained glass window. To achieve this 25 m work²the artist was able to rely on the know-how of the master glassmakers of Ateliers Loire.

“This is the first stained glass window that I have installed in such a spectacular location, and it is really not easy to put stained glass windows in a sacred place. It all starts with a little watercolor drawing that I do at the beginning, then the selection of the glass, the cutting…, it is a long and very subtle process . I worked with a color palette that goes very well with the bricks and the rest of the stained glass windows. I am very proud of what we managed to create with Ateliers Loire,” says Jean-Michel Othoniel.

Visible from the outside and the inside

Blue on the outside, the stained glass window offers a completely different spectacle of colors from the inside. The work overlooks the nave and its altar in a festival of red, blue, pink and even yellow reflections. It also serves as a unique setting for the Cavaillé-Coll organ which faces it, classified as a Historic Monument.

In order to benefit visitors as well as the faithful, reversible benches designed by artist Constance Guisset will be installed. They will notably make it possible to “facilitate the use of the basilica for the organization of concerts”, specifies the town hall.

Delivered for Saint-Saturnin

At the request of the town hall, Jean-Michel Othoniel and the Ateliers Loire were tasked with completing their work before Saint-Saturnin, November 29. A ultimately conclusive bet which made it possible to inaugurate the work on this symbolic day. Saturnin of Toulouse, known as Saint-Sernin, is the first bishop of Toulouse listed.

A budget of 3.3 million euros

The town hall invested nearly 3.3 million eurosin the renovation of the west facade, including the rose window, of which €431,678 financed by the State and €424,800 by the Occitanie region. The metropolis has allocated €600,000 in the design of the rose windowwith the participation of the AG2R La Mondiale Corporate Foundation, patron of the project.

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