Val de Sioule

Église Saint-Pourçain

Bourbonnais Route of the Painted Churches.
Built in the 11th and 12th centuries in the Romanesque style, the church was redesigned and enlarged in the 14th century.

Free visit with document. Guided tour with flash-code. The church (ISMH) is named in memory of Porcianus, child of Louchy, slave of Mangulfus, who was keeping his master's pigs at the end of the 5th century. According to the legend, he was freed by his master after having given this latter his sight back. He then became a monk and died in 532. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries in the Romanesque style, the church was renovated and enlarged in the 14th century. In the 16th century, a "caquetoire", reserved for chatting at the exit of the mass, was leaned against the façade. Inside, there is a funerary slab by Jacques de Montbrun, king’s knave and, in front of the altar, the tombstone of former parish priests. Note the polychrome wooden statues of Saint Donatus, Saint Pourçain and Saint Urbain as well as a God in Majesty from the 16th century. The restoration of the interior walls has uncovered four medieval paintings. The largest represents a very detailed Adoration of the Magi. From another stands out a saint that is resting in the church, as a Gothic text indicates. As for the representation of the penitent in the nave, it concerns an "Amende Honorable" scene..

Activities

  • Concert
  • Temporary exhibition

Languages spoken

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
Services & equipments
  • Public WC
  • Parking nearby
  • Tourist brochures
  • Tour free of charge
Tariffs & payment

Free access.

Opening period

From 01/04 to 31/10/2024
daily between 9 am and 7 pm.

From 01/12/2024 to 31/12/2025
daily between 9 am and 6 pm.

Visit

Languages for visits

  • French

Individual

  • Unguided individual tours available permanently

Groups

  • Unguided group tours available permanently
  • Guided group tours on request