Initial construction Fin XIe - Début XIIe siècle (≈ 1225)
Built chapel, primitive Romanesque architecture.
XVIIe siècle
Internal change
Internal change XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Separation by a wall.
1914
Restoration and reopening
Restoration and reopening 1914 (≈ 1914)
Back to worship after revolutionary disbandment.
2010
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2010 (≈ 2010)
Total protection of the chapel and cemetery.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The chapel and its walled cemetery, in full (Box AB 6, 200): inscription by order of 11 May 2010
Key figures
Chiron - Mythological figure
Centaur depicted on a fresco (15th century).
Saint André - Depositary
Identified by his name on the paintings.
Saint Pierre - Depositary
Represented in the apse among the six.
Origin and history
The chapel Saint-Martin du Villiers, located in La Chapelle-Saint-Martin-en-Plaine, dates from the late 11th or early 12th century. Disused during the Revolution, it was restored to worship around 1914. Its architecture includes a nave, a choir and a semi-circular apse, with a western portal in the middle of the hangar. A partially abrased bell tower and a 16th century porch complete the building.
Wall paintings, dating from the early 13th century, are the most remarkable element. In the abside, transformed into a sacristy, a Christ in majesty surrounded by the symbols of the evangelists dominates six apostles, including St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew, recognizable by their names. These frescoes, retouched in the 15th century, combine medieval influences with subsequent additions, such as the figure of Chiron, a centaur.
In the 17th century, a wall separated the nave from the choir, transforming it into sacristy. The lack of foothills and the simplicity of the portal contrast with the richness of interior decorations. Together, classified as Historic Monument in 2010, reflects a complex history, between worship, abandonment and restoration.
