St. Michael's Basilica has its own separate bell tower, called the spire”. Flamboyant Gothic style, it was erected at the end of the XVth century by the architects Jean Lebas and his son, from Saintes. The spire is a real symbol of resistance. Struck several times by lightning, for lack of a lightning rod, the spire of the campanile was swept away by a hurricane in September 1768, which reduced its height to 99 meters, giving it a truncated appearance. The reconstruction of the spire finally began in 1860, when Paul Abadie (1812-1884), architect of the Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre in Paris and of the Sainte-Marie de la Bastide church in Bordeaux, began the long reconstruction work which were completed in 1869. Culminating at 114m in height, the spire offers a unique panorama of Bordeaux , its river and the surrounding area. 235 steps lead to the terrace with a bird's eye view of the very lively district of Saint-Michel. The spire is particularly striking and magical in the evening when it is illuminated. Its carillon of 22 bells, restored, strikes the hours and quarters of an hour. Don't miss to listen to his ritornellos! (Actually closed for reconstruction works).