Saint-Martin-d'Ary - Saint-Martin

The Benedictian Abbey of Guîtres (20kms south) had founded priory next to a little river here. Within the first half of the 12th century this small, but wonderful Romanesque church was erected from the local white stones. The structure is surprisingly complete, only the small "belltower" in the west was added later. Today Saint-Martin is a parish church, surrounded by the graveyard. The facade in the "style saintongue" is a bit weathered, just like the carvings especially around the capitals of the chevet.

Sheela na gigs are not that abundant in France as they may be in Britain. I am not sure, whether she is one. But she is - explicit naked. What may connect her to the nude dancer(s) and the lovers under the roof of this church. There is durprisingly much of this profane stuff on an old priory church.