Église Saint-Saturnin

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

In 1857, the municipality decided to demolish the old Romanesque church, dilapidated and too small, to build a new sanctuary whose plans were entrusted to architect Jean-Baptiste Lassus who drew inspiration from the Gothic style of the 13th century. Following his death, the work was taken over by architect Hugues Batilliat from 1861 to 1867. Oriented to the north, the building in stone from the region comprises a nave of six bays doubled by two aisles, a non-projecting transept and a choir with ambulatory and radiating chapels. The square bell tower topped with a spire is attached to the west transept. Inside, the high rib vaults of the nave rest on massive circular columns with capitals. The upper parts of the nave are pierced with oculi with rosette tracery. The aisles are lit by pointed arch openings. The decoration consists of sculptured capitals with different designs, corbels with arch springer details inspired by sketches from medieval architect Villard de Honnecourt, tympana of external and internal doors (blessing of a bell by Saint Saturnin, King David playing the harp). The stained glass due to E. Thibaud forms an ensemble with varied iconography. Presence of neo-Gothic elements in waxed wood (pulpit, confessionals, sacristy furniture, suspended staircase giving access to the gallery).