Our Lady of Veyrines
Notre-Dame de Veyrines, the church of a Benedictine priory in the commune of St Symphorien de Mahun in the Ardèche.
St Symphorien de Mahun, a village well worth a visit, in a superb mountain setting. A staging post in the Middle Ages between the Rhône Valley and the Velay.
A 12th century church
The church of Sainte-Marie de Veyrines dates back to the 12th century and has the massive, austere appearance of a mountain church. The nave, which appears never to have been vaulted, was rebuilt in the 18th century. The transept crossing is covered by an octagonal dome. The supporting arches are supported by eight columns. Their capitals are the building’s only ornament. Two of these capitals represent the temptation of Eve, the original sin (left), and the descent of Christ into Limbo (right).
The church, and especially the buildings surrounding it, suffered during the Wars of Religion. This led the Benedictines to abandon the priory, which was then entrusted to the Jesuits of Le Puy in 1603. The church has been listed as a Historic Monument since 18 January 1939.
Itinerary for Notre-Dame de Veyrines
Click here or on the image below for the Notre-Dame de Veyrine route from Mas de la Fontenette. A 4-star gite with swimming pool in the Ardèche.
