Église Saint-André

English translation

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History

The primitive construction, probably dating from the 11th century, comprised a single nave, without transept, terminated by a semi-circular apse. The south transept was added in the 12th century. The portal has three voussures, decorated with capitals bearing archaic foliage. In 1562, the church was destroyed by Protestants. Of the primitive nave only the south wall remained. A breach was made at ground level, at the south-east corner, opening into the vault of the crypt, this vault having been entirely demolished and the paintings of the seigneurial arcade scraped away. The painting of Saint Michael, probably too high, escaped destruction. The crenellations were overturned either during this period, or when Richelieu ordered the dismantling of all fortresses. During the 17th-century restorations, the south and north walls of the upper church were lowered; the walls of the chevet and façade were cut into gables so as to rest directly on the vault, without roof structure, a double-slope roof. Two crenellations were preserved, above which a small arcade (1669) was erected to house the bell. On the crypt was installed a barrel vault directly resting on the north and south sides of the ambulatory. A Renaissance door opened the church and the vault was replaced by a simple timber screen.