Biron - Saint-Eutrope / Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame is the parish church of Biron, a village 6kms east of Pons.
Once the church was dedicated to Saint-Eutrope as a relic of "Saint Eutropius of Saintes", who came to the region to evangelize the Gauls in the 3rd century, was kept here. Erected within the 12th century the church got fortified soon after. During the 15th/16th century it got enlarged, the apse got vaulted and a chapel was added.

Sculpted capitals can be seen high up in the dim light near the apse. Compared to the masterly carved works all over the Saintonge (and here outside as well), these carvings are rough and clumsy. Two creatures fight in the thick forest. The pilgrims had to cross many forests - and danger was everywhere.