The most beautiful churches cathedrals basilicas and chapels Châteaux de la Loire

Characterized by its flat chevet, this church is under the patronage of Sainte Madeleine, represented seven times in this remarkable stained glass program. The majority was carried out by the Lobin workshop of Tours - between 1860 and 1878. This ensemble presents a large unit of style. The number of glass panes and stained glass windows is quite considerable and, of course, everyone has a history. Visit this church with the President of the Association of Friends of the Church of Sainte-Madeleine: specialist in religious heritage, he makes this walk between alcoves and chapels absolutely exciting! He décryptera every window, including the one so called "Japanese", which is deemed to be unparalleled so far, but also mural paintings, including an ex-voto reminiscent of an epidemic of plague. In one of the chapels, a burial urn contains the heart of the painter Anne-Louis Girodet (to whom the city also devoted a museum, currently in work), while the great christ is the model carved by Triqueti, for his christ of the Invalides. The spire of the bell was restored by a pupil of Violet the Duke. The church has undergone an important internal and external work campaign to bring it back to its ancient splendour.

This romanesque church of the eleventh century was built from stone from an older building. This characteristic gives the church a unique and rather original look. Treasure of Romanesque art, the church opens in the west by a belfry-doorway from square shape, it is one of the major singularities of the building. The other glory of Saint-Genest, its wall paintings date from the 12c, the 13th and 14th centuries. Le Christ in Majesty is undoubtedly a single work. The priory of Saint-Genest houses the town hall Lavardin today.

The belltower-porch which dates back to the 11th century is the oldest part of this church, part of which was knocked down by a hurricane in the 13th century. Originally romanesque basilica, Saint-Julien is then rebuilt in the Gothic style. The two small chapels on either side of the chancel date from the 16th century. After the Revolution, Saint-Julien is abandoned and fall in ruins. It will be restored in the 19th century under the leadership of Prosper Mérimée, inspector of Historical Monuments. In 1859, you will find its primary purpose. If it is sinking so compared to the adjacent streets, it is because it was built before the walls of the Loire are raised, due to the risk of flood. During the Second World War, in an extremely exposed area however, the church has miraculously escaped the bombing in which destroyed the district mainly.

Today, concerts are often organised in this pretty building.