Arces - Saint-Martin

An early church has been on this outcrop, overlooking the mouth of the Gironde, since the 11th century. Owned by the abbey of Vaux (today "Vaux-sur-Mer", 24kms north) a new church was erected within the 12th century.

Later the structure, built on a Latin-cross-floorplan, got enlarged and altered a couple of times. The facade seen here dates back to the early 18th century, when a renovation was undertaken thanks to the financial support of Louis XIV.

Despite the many renovation and reconstructions, the Romanesque choir and the crossing, seen here, with the many capitals, were kept intact, as they got integrated into the "new" enlarged church.

One one of the capitals around the choir is this "psychostasia", the Weighing of souls. The style here is much simpler and rougher than at the psychostasia just seen in Saujon (only 18kms northeast). Actually I am sure, that this is a simplified "copy" of the carving in Saujon. In the back of the angel are two saved souls.