Eglise Saint Pierre

The Church of Saint Peter was built in the 12th century. It is the result of the enlargement of an existing chapel: "la Chapelle Saint Pierre", built around the 9th century, in the Carolingian period. The church is a building which, through its simplicity and the character of its vaults, is reminiscent of the Romanesque style. The church is oriented towards the tomb of Christ. The nave is rectangular, with two bays. On the north side, one can see columns dating from the 12th century, decorated with acanthus leaves in a rose window. In front of the altar on the north side is a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. It is on the same site as the 9th century chapel of St Peter, around which the present church was built. The western façade is flanked at both ends by two buttresses. It is decorated with modillions, certainly dating from the 12th century. Some of them are at the ends and represent monstrous or diabolical-looking masks. The others frame the window and represent human figures in allegorical scenes: one drinking, testimony to the cultivation of vines in the 12th century in the Aunis region, the other brandishing a blacksmith's hammer (wood from the forest was once used for forging). The façade is topped by a cross made of wrought iron. The opening of the portal is formed by a semicircular arch. The bell tower was strongly reinforced in 1888. The present bell was placed in 1750 and weighs 280 kilos. It was christened Anne Charles Frédéric, Marie Louise (first names of the godfather and godmother). The church was raised from its ruins at the end of the 17th century and in the 18th century. The ceiling was panelled in the Romanesque style.