Poitiers - Notre-Dame la Grande

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed around 1150. This facade is a masterpiece of Romanesque art.

The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. The western facade is the result of an enlargement. In the first half of the 12th century, the older facade got removed - and two spans were added to the nave toward the west. The facade (sometimes called it a "frontage-screen") completed that enlargement. This facade is a brilliant example of the Romanesque "style poitevin".

Seen here is the top tier, a richly-carved medallion of Christ in Glory (now headless), surmounted by the sun and moon and surrounded by the symbols of the Four Evangelists. As the church went trough the Wars of Religions and the French Revolution many of the carvings are damaged.