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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Étienne de Joursac, located in the Cantal department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a building whose oldest parts date back to the 12th century. The first span of the nave dates from this period, while the rest of the nave, the choir and the southern chapel were built in the 14th century. The chapel of Mardogne Castle, added in the 16th century, bears witness to the architectural evolution and local seigneurial influences. A restoration carried out in the 19th century allowed the original materials to be preserved, while integrating neo-Gothic elements.

The church consists of a two-span nave, a choir and a polygonal apse, supplemented by a transept with north and south chapels. The seigneurial chapel, an extension of the transept, houses the tomb of Loys de Foix, dated the 16th century. The dogive vaults, particularly developed in the seigneurial chapel, include palm veins, ivy and thirdrons. A polygonal turret, containing a screw staircase, is located south of the bell tower. Inside, the medieval decor was reconstructed, and the furniture, partly remodeled in a neo-Gothic style, reflects the 19th century restorations.

Ranked among the historical monuments by decree of 7 December 1992, the Saint-Étienne church illustrates the religious and architectural heritage of the region. Its furniture, vaults and chapels offer a testimony of artistic and religious practices throughout the centuries, from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The reuse of original materials during restorations underlines a desire to preserve the local heritage, while adapting the building to the tastes and needs of successive periods.

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