Le Châtelet - Notre-Dame-de-Puyferrand

Puyferrand (= Puy-Ferrand) is a small hamlet, that is part of the small town Le Châtelet. The church was part of a priory, sponsored by the Seigneurs de Déols, existed here since 1070. As the church as well served the growing parish, the church got enlarged already within the 12th century by an additional nave, named "Chapelle Saint-Blaise".

The church got severely damaged in 1569 during the Wars of Religion. The structure was rebuilt later, but the tympanum, that was destroyed, was never replaced. Only a few (meanwhile very weathered) carvings at the facade did survive. As the church was probably erected from east to west, these delicate carvings are younger, than thatones I found inside later. Seen here is - maybe - a hunting scene.

The church was locked, but a friendly lady from Le Châtelet´s tourist office arived with the key and opened the doors. Merci beaucoup!