The most beautiful religious buildings France

This little church alone has many treasures… Let's start with this th-century wooden ensemble before continuing with an impressive collection of thirteen paintings. Signed by the religious painter Ludovic Duperron, they evoke the passion of Christ and the mysteries of the Virgin Mary. Finally, the golden wooden reissue is also worth a look, as is the surprising cross road (and its charcoal drawings) all around the nave.

The crypt of St. Martin's Church houses exhibits of remarkable richness, all ages combined. We begin with Gallo-Roman vestiges (sarcophagi, altar materials) before arriving at the Temps times, as evidenced by these sacerdotal, medieval columns or statues of the th century representing Saint-Juvin and a Christ in polychrome wood. One of the marvels of the th century is painted altarpiece. Then we pause for a moment to admire the Republican Virgin realized in the th century. Finally, we end with more contemporary works, such as those of Roger Lucien Dufour (his Pièta and his Cross of Crosses carried out around 1950) and the stained Glass windows of Joseph Janin, the master glass master of the School of Nancy.

The House of the Hermitage is the great reliquary of Marcellin Champagnat. The Marist Brothers today have about 3,000 members working with young people in 80 countries around the world. At Notre-Dame de l'Hermitage you will first of all be able to discover the life and work of the Marists founded. This place is also a destination for pilgrims who come to pray in front of the reliquary of Saint Marcellin, displayed in the chapel of Notre-Dame. Apart from its primary vocation, which is to welcome Marists from all over the world, this establishment, totally renovated in 2010, is organized to receive people seeking a personal retreat.

The Abbey of Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines is an ancient Benedictine monastery founded in 778-780. Like many religious buildings, it suffered many damages after the Revolution. The cloister is a rare example of transitional architecture between the Romanesque and the Gothic. This cloister is also worth a visit for the polychromy of its marble. As for the robust church, it is worth a visit for its lintel, the oldest stone dated Romanesque sculpture (1020).