EGLISE SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE

The origins of this church date back to the 12th century, probably as the former chapel of the castle. Altered several times over the centuries, the building has retained parts from the 12th and 13th centuries.

The last major restoration, carried out in 1862, involved the construction of the bell tower and the choir vault. Built from tufa stone, the upper part of the bell tower proved to be of poor quality. Renovation work on the bell tower and reconstruction of the spire was therefore undertaken in 1998 under the supervision and direction of a Bâtiments de France architect. The bell tower was rebuilt identically, but using Richemont stone, a harder and more resistant material than tufa. The bell tower and spire are illuminated every night to greet residents and visitors alike.

All that remains of the old building are the foundations of the choir with their small Romanesque arched bays and two apsidioles with central bays dating from the 16th or 17th century. The Saint-Joseph chapel, which probably dates from the 17th century, has three original capitals. The fourth capital and the keystone bear an anchored cross, the coat of arms of the Sainte Flayve family who built the chapel.

These works were completed by the installation of lighting for the bell tower and spire, which provide a pleasant sight every night.

On the historiated capitals carved from local granite, you will discover three of the seven deadly sins. On the right, near the altar of Saint Joseph, gluttony is represented by a figure with enormous cheeks. On the left, near the choir pillar, pride is symbolised by a figure with underlined eyes and a haughty attitude. And on the left as you enter near the door, you will see a crowned man wearing a purse around his neck, representing avarice. The other four sins can be seen in the church of Saint-Georges-de-Pointindoux. They are smaller in size, but carved in the same stone and probably the brainchild of the same craftsman.