Champagnolles - Saint-Pierre

Saint-Pierre, parish church of Champagnolles (pop. 500), got erected on the floorplan of a Latin Cross in the second half of the 12th century. To enrich the floorplan, semicircular absidioles were added in the east. The builders did not invest much artistic creativity into the portal or the interior, as only some rough capitals can be found there.


They obviously concentrated on the rich decoration of eastern walls of Saint-Pierre. All around the apses are dozends of carved mystic corbels and capitals. Actually this church is known for "rude" carvings, and after the exhibitionists, megaphallic carvings and the loving couples, even the animals are sexually active. Here are lions, obviously caught in the act mating.