Ancien prieuré Saint-Martin d'Ambierle

English translation

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History

The priory is dominated by the church of Saint-Martin which occupies the whole north section on a cruciform plan. It is a Gothic-style building constructed between 1450 and 1480. Running along the aisle and the transept, two chapels, a vestibule and the sacristy bordered the north part of the cloister. These buildings still exist. The east part housed the dormitory, enlarged in 1753. The old main dwelling was previously located to the north of the church. On the first floor of this old dwelling, a room is decorated with panelling and wallpaper patterns. The cloister courtyard, of square plan, is surrounded by two other buildings. To the south, the buildings mentioned before 1753 consisted of the refectory as well as the kitchen and a spiral staircase. They were transformed into stables and outbuildings before being abandoned in the 20th century. Many elements dating from at least the 15th century remain unchanged and still visible. On either side of the spiral staircase there was a granary to the north, and a press and a vat to the south, transformed in the 19th century into houses. The old town hall houses murals and a room on the second floor is decorated with floral motifs, probably from the 14th century. From the ground floor to the first floor, the theme of the Nine Worthies unfolds on the walls. This portion of the rampart housed, according to an 18th-century plan, the infirmary and the hostelry.