Vançais - Saint Martin

The second church in the center of the village is much older than the Protestant temple, just seen. It was erected within the 12th century und was used by the Protestant parish after the Revolution until the new temple was completed. At that time Saint Martin was already pretty ruined, soon after parts of the vaulting collapsed, but it got restored from 1860 - 1865 and is in good condition.

Here is one of two mermaids on Saint Martin´s western facade.

She is very weathered, but her hair is still visible - and of course the fish scales. The mermaid is not the elegant vanity-style type, but - in case this is possible - pretty realistic. Is this Melusine?

Vançais is only about 20 kms apart from Lusignan, where the legendary fairy Melusine once upon a time married Prince Raymond of Poitou. The couple had ten kids - and so they founded the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan").

"Raymond was not allowed to watch her, when she took a bath, but one day..." tells the legend. Here somebody watches the mermaid from above!