The town of Lisieux is not famous for much - the centre is small with not much going on except the usual shops and cafés. However, on the other side of the town is the very beautiful Basilique de Saint Thérèse. Building started on the church in 1929, and was funded purely by donations from around the world. Completed in 1954, the church is quite obviously modern once you step inside.
In one room, images are created out of mosaics, in beautiful blues and bright gold. Inside the main building, pictures are painted all over in bright colours, and the writing in the stained glass looks more like graffiti. (There is also a strange crucifix, where Jesus looks rather like he is dancing, but we're not sure if the statue had slipped or if it was a slightly blasphemous representation).
So, while Lisieux doesn't have too much going for it as a town, the basilica is most definitely worth a visit. It's one of the most impressive churches I've been in, and looked beautiful against the snowy winter backdrop.
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