Collegiate Church of St. Mexme, Chinon, France

The collegiate church of Saint-Mexme was the main religious building in Chinon up to the Revolution. It was originally built in the 5th century on the site of a monastery founded by Saint Mexme, a disciple of Saint Martin. The building was entirely rebuilt, enlarged and embellished between the 10th and 15th centuries, and became a major pilgrimage site. The building was deconsecrated following the Revolution and was left abandoned; in 1817 the transept bell tower collapsed, taking with it the east side of the building. The remaining parts (the west block and central nave) were converted into a school.

The school moved out at the beginning of the 1980s and major work was carried out to restore the original character of the building. Numerous fragments of wall paintings from the 11th to the 15th century were discovered. The church is only open for guided visits organized by the “Ville d’art et d’histoire” department.

References:

Chinon Tourism

User Reviews

Galder Orcajo (3 years ago)
As is often the case when churches become public buildings, it was closed. The exterior is average, nothing special, but the hideous stained glass windows make it worse.

Maryline PESNEL (3 years ago)
nice monument Paid illumination is interesting

Jean-michel Cagnard (3 years ago)
Place converted for theater or exhibitions. Our interlocutor has given us time to complete the current exhibition. Old wall paintings in very poor condition. Worth the visit...

Viviane Riotteau (3 years ago)
Stunning

Sébastien Vauguet (3 years ago)
Beautiful place that deserves to be highlighted more.

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