Eglise Saint-Pierre du Clion

Saint-Pierre du Clion church was built in the Middle Ages. Altered in the 17th century, it was enlarged in the 19th century. It is probably the only church in the Pays de Retz where you can admire a real carillon dating from 1857.

A bell tower-porch, a former watchtower

Le Clion church is remarkable for its high, square, massive tower, like a dungeon. It dates back to the 15th century, or even the 14th century.

The tower, which stands 18 metres high (37 m with the spire), is a bell tower-porch, consisting of :


a bell tower with the bell chamber on the top floor,
a porch at ground level, the building's sumptuous entrance. The angled buttresses rise from the ground to the top, giving it a powerful, haughty appearance.


Built during the Hundred Years' War, this bell tower-porch probably originally served as a watchtower for the river Haute-Perche, which flows nearby to the north of the village.

The watchtower later became a bell tower, and the church was rebuilt in 1636, as evidenced by the inscription on the porch.


Sober architecture

This is the only 17th-century church in the Pays de Retz.
The sober architecture of the building bears witness to the "Louis XIII style":


Superfluous decorations are banished.
The stonework is visible and sparsely sculpted.
The paving is minimal.


This church dates from the time of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, which encouraged Mannerist and Baroque interior decoration.


Renovation of Le Clion church

After the Revolution, the church fell into ruin.
A first restoration took place around 1825, under the impetus of Mademoiselle du Tressay de La Sicaudais.
From 1837 onwards, a complete renovation began under the direction of the parish priest Fierabras. The most important works began in 1856.
In 1857, the famous ten-bell mechanism carillon was acquired, which is still in use today. The bells can be rung in the full octave, making it possible to play the Ave Maria and Il est né le Divin Enfant.



The little extra

The simplicity and uniqueness of Le Clion church make it well worth a visit.
The "Paysage rural au fil de l'eau" heritage interpretation trail takes you to the church after a walk along the Canal de Haute-Perche from Pornic's old port. Allow half a day (around 4 hours) for the round trip on foot.
There is a shuttle bus to the town of Le Clion from Pornic Tourist Office.


To consult the days and times of masses in the parish of Notre-Dame de la Côte de Jade, click here.