Église Saint-Martin

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The construction of a first church dates back a very long time, probably to the 10th or beginning of the 11th century. This can be seen in the use of pastoureaux still clearly visible on either side of the portal. These small rubble stones certainly come from Roman ruins that were located nearby. During the 11th century, the nave was restored and certainly enlarged, as proved by the use of opus spicatum, a way of laying stones in the shape of an ear of corn. This is seen especially on the south side above the aisle; on the north side, the wall has been covered with cement. The choir was built in the 13th century and greatly altered in the 16th. But from the 13th century, rib vaults are still visible and the flat rear wall pierced with three ogival windows, but embraced by a wide round arch. Major transformations were undertaken during the 16th century. The transept was doubled by lateral chapels, an inscribed date indicates 1586. Towards the exterior, a wavy frieze was sculptured all around the added chapels, but one notices inside, especially on the right, ribs and pendentive keys, as well as a sort of vaulted alcove decorated with column with capitals adorned with seahorses, a style which recalls what is seen in the church of Montjavoult and at Gisors. The polygonal tower is also of the 16th century. The portal dates from the Renaissance. It is adorned with vine scrolls and niches. The sculptures are fairly degraded, but one can still see a very graceful cherub. Once a porch protected this fine portal from the weather and it was removed.