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Origin and history

The church of the Chastel, called the upper church of Saint-Floret, is a Catholic building located on the heights of Saint-Floret, on the right bank of the Couze Pavin, in the Puy-de-Dôme. Built in the 13th century, it is distinguished by its southern gate and its two side chapels added in the 14th century, as well as by its bell tower partially rebuilt in the 16th century (a stone bears the date of 1548). Its name "high church" is opposed to a later low church in the village, while its cemetery preserves merovingian anthropomorphic tombs and an ossuary classified with it since 1915.

Dedicated to Saint Flour, bishop of Lodève, the church has a vaulted nave of an ogival cradle decorated with Romanesque ravens, a 14th century north columned portal, and potentially 15th century side chapels. Inside, 14th century murals remain under the badigeon, including a scene depicting a noble family in prayer in front of the Virgin with the Child, accompanied by Saint John the Baptist. The south porch, later added between the nave and the chapel, and the square bell tower with geminied bays complete its characteristic architecture, covered with lauzes.

Ranked a historical monument on 19 April 1915, the high church illustrates medieval architectural evolution in Auvergne, mixing Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance elements. Its furniture includes a 14th century statue of the Virgin and Child, while its cemetery, with its Merovingian remains, bears witness to a continuing religious occupation since the early Middle Ages. The site, open to the visit, offers a panorama of the valley and the village of Saint-Floret.

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