In 1956, the Vatican 🇻🇦 ordered the construction of the largest church in France, then under construction in Lourdes, to be stopped.
In this video, I explain to you how Pierre-Marie Théas, the bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, will succeed in carrying his church project through to completion despite the opposition of Pope Pius XII.
You will learn how, in less than two years, the underground basilica of Saint Pius X was built, thanks in particular to the support of Edme Campenon and the know-how of Eugène Freyssinet.
The history of the largest church in France will no longer hold any secrets for you!

In this video discover this underground basilica: the pre-stressed concrete architecture, the gemmail decoration by artists Denys de Solère, René Margotton and Robert Falcucci, the Pax Christi chapel as well as the banners of the saints 😇.

Built on the site of the apparitions of the Virgin to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, the Basilica of St. Pius X in Lourdes is a church that amazes each of its visitors. Its gigantic dimensions and concrete architecture differentiate it from all other churches in France.

If you are not familiar with Lourdes, this video will also help you find your way around this Marian shrine, with views of the Grotto of the Apparitions, the Gave de Pau, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the Basilica of the Rosary.

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✅ Learn more about Eugène Freyssinet
Freyssinet chain    • Celebrating 75 years of Freyssinet. E...  

✅ To know more about pre-stressed concrete
Chain By Béton    • Et Freyssinet inventa le béton précon...  
Freyssinet Chain    • La précontrainte Freyssinet  
Chain Sabeur Hassen    • E  Freyssinet   L'aventure de la préc...  

✅ To know more about Bernadette Soubirous
Watch the excellent report of my friend Christian Rivière on his channel Dedans Dehors    • Qui es tu Bernadette Soubirous ? De L...  

0 :00 Introduction
1 :15 Consecration by Monsignor Roncalli
4 :40 Nomination of Pierre-Marie Théas
6 :29 Birth of the underground church project
10 :42 Beginning of the work
14 :51 Intervention of the Vatican
16 :05 Intervention of Edme Campenon
18 :49 Drainage of the infiltrations
20 :25 Solution brought by Eugène Freyssinet
24 :23 The basilicas of Lourdes
26 :55 The largest churches in France
28 :05 Plan of the church of Saint Pius X
31 :56 Basilica decoration : banners of the saints, gemmail
34 :10 Thanks and presentation of the sources