Church of Our Lady of the Assumption à Ceilloux dans le Puy-de-Dôme

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Origin and history

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Ceilloux, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, illustrates the persistence of Gothic style in Auvergne at the beginning of the Renaissance. It replaces an earlier Romanesque building and adopts a typical plan of the churches rebuilt by the monks of a priory dependent on The Chair-God. Its architecture includes a nave of three spans, a polygonal apse choir, and two lateral chapels opening on the span preceding the choir. The south facade has a flamboyant portal with marked features: sharp broken arch, multiple veins, and veins falling back on prismatic bases. The tympanum, surmounted by a braided lintel, houses a statue of the Virgin, while hooked pinnacles frame the whole, highlighting the late Gothic influence.

The southern gate, the most emblematic element, is distinguished by its carved decoration and its extrados adorned with a larmal garnished with stylized leaves. The key to the arch, in a braid and surmounted by a flower, reflects a craftsmanship typical of the region. The church, registered with the Historical Monuments since 1972, belongs to the commune of Ceilloux (Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Its history is part of the context of local monastic reconstructions, where Gothic art has continued well beyond its peak in other French regions.

The building also bears witness to the links with the Priory of La Chaise-Dieu, a major spiritual and artistic centre in medieval Auvergne. Although the sources do not mention specific sponsors, its plan and architectural details suggest a direct influence of the building monks. Today, the church remains a communal heritage open to the visit, although practical information (times, services) is not detailed in the available archives.

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