SAINT-PIERRE COLLEGIATE CHURCH
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The collegiate church of Saint-Pierre, a Romanesque marvel in Chauvigny.
In the heart of the medieval city, the collegiate church of Saint-Pierre, built in the 12th-13th centuries, is a jewel of Romanesque art. Built according to a Latin cross plan, on the outside, on its harmoniously layered chevet, you can admire a number of sculpted modillions borrowing from the medieval bestiary. As you enter, you will be struck by the play of light thanks to the elevation of the vaults. Go towards the choir, you will be dazzled by the beauty of the capitals sculpted on the columns. They make the fame of the church. One of them even bears the signature of its sculptor or donor: Gofridus. Religious scenes are represented: episodes from the life of Mary and Jesus, as well as the history of Babylon or the weighing of souls. Numerous animals (griffins, birds, lions), monsters and other grimacing figures are also visible. These sculptures, in a naive style, are there to remind believers not to give in to vices, desires and lust if they want their souls to go to heaven. They evoke guilt and redemption, the struggle between good and evil, a theme frequently illustrated in the Romanesque period. Have fun finding and admiring a mermaid, the Magi or the archangel Gabriel, but also the devil. The sculptures as well as the entire interior of the church were painted in the 19th century, during a major restoration of the building. This recent decoration has at least the merit of reminding us that Romanesque churches were often painted.
Observez le sommet recourbé des murs de l’abside et des chapelles rayonnantes: il s’agit de simples murs-bahut qui dissimulent la toiture en tuiles plates. Cherchez également les bas-reliefs: un sagittaire, saint Pierre bénissant d’une main et tenant les clés de l’autre sous une arcade surmontée de deux oiseaux, scène de poursuite entre animaux. Il s’agit de réemplois, peut-être de l’édifice antérieur. Et il ne faut pas manquer les modillons de l’abside, les seuls anciens, qui représentent des animaux sauvages: lions, loups, aigles, ours, renards, et des animaux domestiques: béliers, cochons, chiens. Des têtes de personnage et des masques sont aussi sculptés.
Quant à l’intérieur, toute sa richesse est réunie dans le chœur et ses chapiteaux qui montrent divers épisodes de la vie de la Vierge et de Jésus (Annonce aux bergers, Adoration des Mages, Présentation au Temple, Tentation au désert), le Triomphe et la ruine de Babylone, le Pèsement des âmes, ainsi qu’une profusion d’animaux et de monstres. À observer sans modération!