Church on Sunday...Briare

When we were over visiting the canal aqueduct at Briare I made a point of visiting its Saint-Etienne Church. The church was built in a Romano-Byzantine style in the late 19th century due to the generosity of.Jean-Felix Bapterosses who ran the enamel plant in the town.The factory produced its 'Briare enamels' which became very popular - being used in architectural mosaics.They are obviously used extensively throughout both the interior and exterior of the church. 

Saint-Etienne himself is featured at the apex above the entrance to the church and St. Michael the Archangel above the rose window - you can see some better pics, here.

Internally the church seems so much bigger than it does from its front view - it is huge - 10 mtrs x 50 mtrs

There is a mid altar in front of the apse...

  

... and a main feature altar within the apse itself.

Looking down the cetral aisle towards the rose window.

The floors are decorated with a variety of designs that feature the four elements,the five senses...

 ...

and animals  within the baptismal chapel.

No 'Joan' featured here however. 

There is a monument to to the church's benefactor in the square in front of the church.