Église Saint-Martin

English translation

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History

Romanesque church of the 12th century, which consists of a nave with aisles and a double transept on which open two small apses and a sanctuary of semi-circular plan. The choir and transept form the oldest parts, possibly going back to the 11th century. The nave and two side aisles are terminated by apses with three windows flanked by columns topped with sculpted capitals. The capitals are decorated with flat leaves, scrolls, heads and animals. Two building campaigns can be distinguished: the eastern part should be from the early 12th century, and the two western bays from the middle or end of this century. The piers are on a square plan, flanked by four columns whose bases are decorated with griffes. The bell tower would date from the last building campaign and is vaulted on ribs with ribs. The crossing which carries the bell tower was remodelled in the 16th century. The main door is framed by three archivolts on small columns. The south portal had a tympanum originally painted with a Crucifixion. The church was dependent on the priory basilica of Souvigny.