The Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and built over his tomb. The first basilica was established in the fifth century and consecrated in 471. Alcuin, the adviser to Charlemagne, was abbot from 796 to 804. Viking raids in 853 and 903 and a fire in 994 damaged the church, and Huguenots sacked it in 1562.
During the French Revolution the basilica was deconsecrated, used as a stable and then demolished, and its dressed stones were sold in 1802. Excavations in 1860 established its dimensions, and the tomb of Saint Martin was rediscovered on 14 December 1860.
The present basilica was designed by Victor Laloux and built from 1886 to 1924, on part of the original site. It is described as Neo-Byzantine, mixing Romanesque and Byzantine elements. It was dedicated on 4 July 1925.
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