Loire Valley churches...

When visiting our beautiful region you have a stunning choice of beautiful churches to visit. Today on Experience Loire's post we feature the stunning interior of Notre-Dame de Rivière near Chinon but you are really spoiled for choice.

A surprising find during 'patrimoine' weekend...

During the last weekend of  'Journées du Patrimoine' we came across this interesting church within the forest near Chateau de Usse. Notre-Dame de Rigny just springs up from within the trees - quite the surprise - you can see more on this interesting church here

What we did on Patrimoine Weekend...

Did a bit of 'cramming' over the weekend that was a mix of work, rest and play. Changeover at 'Les Balcons' on Friday then apéros with neighbours in Barrou. A changeover at the 'Old Walnut Mill' on Saturday then birthday party at Le Grand-Pressigny in the evening. What was strange about our socialising was that on both occasions they were within walking distance of our houses but we had to drive 'home' to La Guerche...felt a little odd!

Working on Saturday meant we only had Sunday to take advantage of 'Patrimoine Weekend' when some doors that are normally closed open under the 'heritage days' banner. We managed viewing a couple of chateaux, visited one of 'Les plus beaux villages de France', failed to visit a museum and added quite a few churches, including one with a tree growing out of its wall!

More on this and other visits to follow.

Church on Sunday - St, Etienne, Lussault-sur-Loire

Today we visit the 18th century church of St. Etienne in Lussalt-sur-Loire which sits just west of Amboise. It is not the first church on the site as it replaced an earlier 15th century building. 

The church has a single vaulted nave leading to a semi-circular asp with an interesting fresco (or mural?).

It has a couple of 19th century stained glass windows.

Where's Joan?

Although the church is adorned with many statues,Joan is not featured.

The church currently has a  restoration programme in place and it would be nice to think it would include the removal of  annexed bus shelter!!

The corner of the church is marked with flood lines indicating the might of the river Loire.

Loire Valley church for Sunday...Saint Christophe, Bléré

Read more here

Church on Sunday...Church of Saint Martin, Mont-près-Chambord

Today we visit the 16th century church of St. Martin in Mont-près-Chambord, a small village on the edge of what was formerly the Royal Hunting Estate of Chateau de Chambord. Its external appearance  does not exactly draw you in with its odd bell tower and small unwelcoming portal but inside is an improvement.

It is a little more interesting on the inside with a nave of four bays...

leading to a choir with two side chapels.

The main altar has an interesting wall hanging.

The side chapels are 19th century additions

Where's Joan? no sign of her unless the statute below is a modern interpretation of her

It is actually dedicated to victims of an event that took place here on the 21st August 1944.

There are modern (1996) stained glass windows in the church.

plus a fine set of carved 'stations of the cross'.

Church on Sunday...Saint Pierre Es Liens in Cussay

The 19th century church of Saint Pierre Es Liens in Cussay,a small village that sits between Descartes and Ligueil, was built to replace a 16th century that was on the same site. The high point in the village has had a church here since the 10th century

It was built in a Neo-Gothic style popular at the time.

It has the traditional nave leading to the apse and two side chapels.

The church has many fine examples of  well preserved 19th century stained glass.

There is a lovely set of 'stations of the cross'

and an interesting baptismal font - how do they remove that cover?

Carved pews.

Where's Joan?, she sits above the entrance and under these pretty windows which bathe her in light.