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Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint Georges, located on Bessat Street in Puy-en-Velay, was built in the 17th century under the direction of architect Martellange. Its plan is inspired by the basilical model, combining a main vaulted nave and a low side punctuated with chapels. The choir, narrower than the nave, adopts a rectangular shape surmounted by a barlong dome, while two side sacristies integrate harmoniously with the general volume. The transept, marked by an extended span with a dome, and the two-storey facade – decorated with doric columns and a pediment – bear witness to a remarkable proportional and aesthetic research.

The architectural quality of the building, both in its design and in the execution of elevations, illustrates Martellange's inventive genius. Its influence was decisive for the evolution of 17th-century religious architecture, as evidenced by the innovative solutions implemented (voûts, domes, integration of sacristies). Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 4 October 1951, the church, originally linked to the neighbouring college, now belongs to the commune of Puy-en-Velay.

The building is distinguished by its stylistic unity and structural coherence, where each element – from side chapels to doric façade – contributes to a balanced composition. Architectural choices, such as the cupola of the transept or the barlong dome of the choir, reflect a mastery of the constructive techniques of the time, while foreshadowing further developments in French sacred art.

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