Latest edition : 29 July 2016
He is probably one of the best known and most popular saints. Saint-Martin. Who does not know the story of this soldier cutting his coat in half to warm a poor wretch by the side of the road? But how did a Roman legionary become a bishop in Tours?
Pilgrims and visitors who come to the city to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of his birth will know everything about this son of a Roman soldier.
Little Martin would have liked to become a monk so much, but his father forced him to join the Roman army. His peregrinations with the imperial guard take him near Tours. And that's when he cuts his coat in half. But why didn't he offer the whole coat? Quite simply because half of the Legionnaire's outfit belonged to the army and when he can finally leave the service two years later, he returns this half coat to the army!
This is just one of the many anecdotes distilled with great passion by the city guides.
The holy man not liking the city, he preferred to settle in the countryside where he founded the abbey of Marmoutier from where he shone to accomplish his miracles. So as not to be constantly disturbed, geese lived on the site, announcing with loud cries the arrival of visitors - hence the tradition in certain countries of eating geese in November, during Saint-Martin. It was only by trickery that the Tourangeaux were able to lure Saint Martin to Tours to consecrate him bishop there.
Very epic too, the dispute over the body of the bishop that the people of Touraine wanted to bring home. They didn't hesitate to steal the body. So that they could go up the course of the frozen Loire, God would have warmed the earth. And here is the summer of Saint-Martin!
Without forgetting the story of this insignificant little bird that became the magnificent Kingfisher… Magali, Tours city guide, knows everything about the holy man, his donkey and the vine.
The history of the town is closely linked to that of its saint recognized by the Council of Europe as a "European figure, symbol of sharing". If Tours became the capital in 1440, it was also thanks to him: Louis XI settled there with his court, placing himself under the protection of Saint Martin. “And the armistice was signed on November 11, says Magali. You see that the story continues!
The visit of the city is peppered with references to Saint-Martin.
The construction of the cathedral Saint Gatien, 1st bishop of Tours, was commissioned by Martin who had dedicated it to Saint Maurice, one of his comrades in arms. In the niches around the portal, we notice built-in stones waiting to be carved... Another particularity: stained-glass windows visible from the outside: we see Pope Benedict emerging from a blue mass representing children , symbols of the Church of tomorrow.
Before arriving at the Basilica of Saint Martin, two towers testify to the location of the old collegiate church of the 11th century, housing the tomb of the saint. Vandalized during the war of religions and then the Revolution, its vaults collapsed. And between the two towers that remained standing, a street has been laid out! Cobblestones on the ground indicate the location of the old church.
Between 1886 and 1902, a new and impressive basilica was erected. Under its choir, it houses the tomb of Saint Martin which still attracts many pilgrims. Many come on foot, taking the "Martinian" paths which pass over more than 5,000 km through many European countries. In Touraine, it is via Sancti Martini.
