Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Mandé-Saint-Jean de Ferrière-Larçon, located in the Indre-et-Loire department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, is a religious building dating back to the 4th quarter of the 11th century. It underwent major transformations in the 12th and 13th centuries, as well as in the 18th century. Ranked a historic monument in 1908, it illustrates medieval architectural evolution, with Romanesque elements and an angeline influence marked in its choir.

The nave, the oldest Romanesque part, retains a sculpted archvolt portal, while the three-vessel choir, rebuilt in the 13th century, adopts an angeline style. The 11th century Roman bell tower, topped by a hexagonal arrow and octagonal bell towers, was restored in 1916. The characteristic square tower has a lower floor of blind arches and an upper floor pierced with geminated windows. The Romanesque sculptures, attributed to Denis and his workshop (active between 1130 and 1150), adorn the building.

In the 18th century, the church underwent structural changes, notably after the collapse of the vaults of the South collateral in 1712, requiring the reconstruction of the drip wall and the structure. In 1762, the west gate was restored, with the replacement of capitals and the reshaping of the bay. A sacristy was added in 1850, completing the architectural ensemble.

The building mixes various materials: coated stone, cut stone, flat tiles, and slate, reflecting the different periods of construction. The trompe cupola on the transept square and the dogive vaults of the choir testify to advanced architectural techniques for the time. The church, owned by the commune, remains a significant example of the religious and artistic heritage of the Touraine.

The protected elements include the entire building, classified by order of 20 July 1908. Its Latin cross plan, partially modified over the centuries, and its carved decorations make it an emblematic monument of Romanesque and Gothic art in the Centre-Val de Loire.

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