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The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine, Issoire
Explore more nearby places in Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes., France

The Church of Saint-Austremoine d’Issoire is widely recognized as one of the most valuable Romanesque architecture examples in France. It is located in Issoire – a French commune in the department of Puy-de-Dôme.

Devoted to Saint-Austremoine, the French abbey church has both an imposing exterior and a rich frescoed interior. It is officially the largest Romanesque church in the Lower Auvergne region and also one of the most remarkable buildings in the southern Puy-de-Dôme area. 

It sounds like something you should see at least once in your lifetime. So, here is what you need to know about the site upon planning your visit. 

History of the Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine

The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine was built at the end of the 11th and beginning 12th centuries. Back then, the building was constructed on an earlier chapel raised over the tomb of St. Austremoine – one of the seven evangelists sent by the Pope to evangelize the Gau in the middle of the 3rd century. 

The 12th-century temple has been classified as a historical monument since 1840 and underwent massive restoration works later through the 19th century. 

What history brought to life and local authorities kept surviving until today is a masterpiece of the Romanesque art and one of the five major Romanesque churches of the Puy-de-Dôme region.  

The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine: exterior and interior specifics

Large dimensions, rigorous geometry, harmonious architecture, and simplicity of ornamentation – this is truly the most refined example of Romanesque art in this region of France. 

The exterior of the Abbey Church has a remarkable basalt decoration recognizable for its abundance and its polychromy. Mosaic and tiles cover a large portion of the building, forming stunning geometric patterns and rosettes. The radiating chapels and the axial chapel are decorated with the twelve signs of the zodiac: symbols of the order and complexity of the Universe.

As for the interior of the temple: things only get better and better. The painted frescoes (rarely found as a painting technique in France) are brightly colored with dominant red-brown. Simultaneously, the stunning capitals represent different images, such as the Last Supper, the Wise Virgins, and stained glass windows tell the stories of Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, and Saint Austremoine. 

Next to the church, you can visit the Centre d’Art Roman Georges-Duby – a museum dedicated to Romanesque architecture. 

Planning your visit to The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine

Visitors are welcome to enter the temple free of charge and participate in the church’s religious events all year round. 

Most of the building parts are accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs, while guided tours without prior reservations are administered only in July and August. 

Additional on-site tourist accommodations include a car parking space and a dedicated souvenir shop with beautiful relics to take home with you. 

Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, Place Saint-Paul, Issoire, France

Where is it on the Map?

Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, Place Saint-Paul, Issoire, France

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Explore more nearby places in Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes., France
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The Church of Saint-Austremoine d’Issoire is widely recognized as one of the most valuable Romanesque architecture examples in France. It is located in Issoire – a French commune in the department of Puy-de-Dôme.

Devoted to Saint-Austremoine, the French abbey church has both an imposing exterior and a rich frescoed interior. It is officially the largest Romanesque church in the Lower Auvergne region and also one of the most remarkable buildings in the southern Puy-de-Dôme area. 

It sounds like something you should see at least once in your lifetime. So, here is what you need to know about the site upon planning your visit. 

History of the Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine

The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine was built at the end of the 11th and beginning 12th centuries. Back then, the building was constructed on an earlier chapel raised over the tomb of St. Austremoine – one of the seven evangelists sent by the Pope to evangelize the Gau in the middle of the 3rd century. 

The 12th-century temple has been classified as a historical monument since 1840 and underwent massive restoration works later through the 19th century. 

What history brought to life and local authorities kept surviving until today is a masterpiece of the Romanesque art and one of the five major Romanesque churches of the Puy-de-Dôme region.  

The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine: exterior and interior specifics

Large dimensions, rigorous geometry, harmonious architecture, and simplicity of ornamentation – this is truly the most refined example of Romanesque art in this region of France. 

The exterior of the Abbey Church has a remarkable basalt decoration recognizable for its abundance and its polychromy. Mosaic and tiles cover a large portion of the building, forming stunning geometric patterns and rosettes. The radiating chapels and the axial chapel are decorated with the twelve signs of the zodiac: symbols of the order and complexity of the Universe.

As for the interior of the temple: things only get better and better. The painted frescoes (rarely found as a painting technique in France) are brightly colored with dominant red-brown. Simultaneously, the stunning capitals represent different images, such as the Last Supper, the Wise Virgins, and stained glass windows tell the stories of Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, and Saint Austremoine. 

Next to the church, you can visit the Centre d’Art Roman Georges-Duby – a museum dedicated to Romanesque architecture. 

Planning your visit to The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine

Visitors are welcome to enter the temple free of charge and participate in the church’s religious events all year round. 

Most of the building parts are accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs, while guided tours without prior reservations are administered only in July and August. 

Additional on-site tourist accommodations include a car parking space and a dedicated souvenir shop with beautiful relics to take home with you. 

Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, Place Saint-Paul, Issoire, France

Where is it on the Map?

Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, Place Saint-Paul, Issoire, France

Explore more places in Europe

See more in Can't retrieve term. In case if you changed taxonomy slug for this term, please update widget settings to use new taxonomy slug.
Explore more nearby places in Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes., France

The Church of Saint-Austremoine d’Issoire is widely recognized as one of the most valuable Romanesque architecture examples in France. It is located in Issoire – a French commune in the department of Puy-de-Dôme.

Devoted to Saint-Austremoine, the French abbey church has both an imposing exterior and a rich frescoed interior. It is officially the largest Romanesque church in the Lower Auvergne region and also one of the most remarkable buildings in the southern Puy-de-Dôme area. 

It sounds like something you should see at least once in your lifetime. So, here is what you need to know about the site upon planning your visit. 

History of the Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine

The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine was built at the end of the 11th and beginning 12th centuries. Back then, the building was constructed on an earlier chapel raised over the tomb of St. Austremoine – one of the seven evangelists sent by the Pope to evangelize the Gau in the middle of the 3rd century. 

The 12th-century temple has been classified as a historical monument since 1840 and underwent massive restoration works later through the 19th century. 

What history brought to life and local authorities kept surviving until today is a masterpiece of the Romanesque art and one of the five major Romanesque churches of the Puy-de-Dôme region.  

The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine: exterior and interior specifics

Large dimensions, rigorous geometry, harmonious architecture, and simplicity of ornamentation – this is truly the most refined example of Romanesque art in this region of France. 

The exterior of the Abbey Church has a remarkable basalt decoration recognizable for its abundance and its polychromy. Mosaic and tiles cover a large portion of the building, forming stunning geometric patterns and rosettes. The radiating chapels and the axial chapel are decorated with the twelve signs of the zodiac: symbols of the order and complexity of the Universe.

As for the interior of the temple: things only get better and better. The painted frescoes (rarely found as a painting technique in France) are brightly colored with dominant red-brown. Simultaneously, the stunning capitals represent different images, such as the Last Supper, the Wise Virgins, and stained glass windows tell the stories of Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, and Saint Austremoine. 

Next to the church, you can visit the Centre d’Art Roman Georges-Duby – a museum dedicated to Romanesque architecture. 

Planning your visit to The Abbey Church of Saint Austremoine

Visitors are welcome to enter the temple free of charge and participate in the church’s religious events all year round. 

Most of the building parts are accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs, while guided tours without prior reservations are administered only in July and August. 

Additional on-site tourist accommodations include a car parking space and a dedicated souvenir shop with beautiful relics to take home with you. 

Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, Place Saint-Paul, Issoire, France

Where is it on the Map?

Abbatiale Saint Austremoine, Place Saint-Paul, Issoire, France

Explore more places in Europe

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