Eglise Saint Etienne, Chinon

Very spiritual visit. Beautiful architecture and is a must see.

Still feels like a place of worship

Amen

A 15th century church, open and welcoming, simple but endowed with a certain prestige. A church whose access on the west side, through the double door, is located in a narrow street. The facade is nicely decorated. To the north, the small square bell tower, the only remnant of the primitive 11th century church, is crowned by a surprising and characteristic frame structure. The large bell tower of the 15th century church disappeared during the revolution. When you enter the church, you have to go down a few steps under a gallery supporting an organ. South of the entrance, the baptistery faces a statue of Joan of Arc located to the north, enthroned in a setting celebrating the centenary of her canonization. This statue of Joan of Arc, made by François Sicard (1862-1934) is very beautiful and expressive. She protects the place, warrior getting ready to grab her sword. The carved decorations, the cross-ribbed vaults, the chapels of the arms of the transept, the large bays and the stained glass windows, here is a welcoming Gothic beauty. The architect of Pierre Mesnager, directed a construction site between 1460 and 1490 which gave birth to a simple church but endowed with a certain prestige. We can regret the absence of the large bell tower, victim of the revolutionary horrors.

Old parish church. It occupies the place of a Romanesque building whose base of the bell tower is a remnant of the 11th century. In typical stone of the region, tufa.