Saint Symphorien's Church

Azay-le-Rideau, France

The church dedicated to Saint Symphorien near the Azay-le-Rideau château that is interesting for the number of architectural periods incorporated in its design. While the newest portion dates from 1603, the current façade incorporates an older 9th century façade in the Carolingian style. The original carved figures are still visible, though an added window destroyed part of the second row. The rest of the church is of a Romanesque style. It was built in 1518 and 1527.

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Details

Founded: 9th century
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Frankish kingdoms (France)

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4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Marco FaMATo (3 years ago)
A beautiful impressive facade on a small square not far from the shops. The church in question dates from the 11th century, and is erected on the remains of a primitive building which dates from the 5th or 6th century.
Jean-Louis Gustin (5 years ago)
Most of the current building dates back to the twelfth century. But, in the western facade, was preserved that of the previous church which was built by the monks of Cormery after 1023. One can clearly see in the southern half of this primitive facade, the pinion in small apparatus of the Carolingian monument. To this one belong also the arches in miter which recall those of Cravant, and two rows of statuettes lodged in semicircular niches. At the top row, Christ is accompanied by six characters, three on each side. The lower row was partially destroyed by the piercing of a third-point window in the thirteenth century. The characters in this register are of a more barbaric bill than those of the higher register. To the left of this bas-relief is a cartouche with two heraldic animals erected and confronted. The northern part of the facade is from the sixteenth century. It is pierced at its base by a basket handle door. Reference: R. Ranjard, The Archaeological Touraine, page 176, Joseph Floch, printer-publisher at Mayenne, 1968.
Captain Arawak (5 years ago)
Church with 2 facades including the south has a pediment quite ornate. For the rest, it's pretty classic. To see passing in front of the church, nothing more.
Renato (5 years ago)
Everyone goes to visit the castle but the church is also worth a visit. Very beautiful as an architecture, it has a chapel dedicated to the Madonna that invites meditation
Paul Pérucaud (5 years ago)
A remarkable building, even if it is not prestigious, characterized by two facades: a Gothic style that opens onto a 12th and 15th century nave, and a Romanesque (with elements probably reused from the primitive church, from the Merovingian or Carolingian period) which opens onto a nave from the 11th and 12th centuries. I found the interior very interesting, including the stained glass windows from the 19th and 20th centuries.
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