Colombiers - Notre Dame

A fortified settlement in Colombiers is known since Carolingian times and a church, dedicated to The Virgin Mary existed already around 1000.

The parish church Notre Dame may be some centuries younger, but still has a Romanesque structure. The church has obviously undergone more than one construction- and and renovation-phases.

The facade is the oldest part dating back to the 12th century. The crossing and the choir are some decades younger. The nave inbetween is 15th century. Around the crossing are some remarkable capitals, depicting mermaids and mermen. There were two different "species" of mermaids/mermen on the two previous upoloads. Here is a third one, the tails ofe these creatures do not end in fins - but in animal heads.