Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of St.Martin of Grisolles found its origins in the 9th century with the construction of a small oratory in 844, around which the village was developed, then called Ecclesiola ("Little Church"). This oratory, joined to the local castle, was replaced around 1246 by a Gothic church dedicated to Saint Martin, under the tutelage of Saint-Sernin Abbey of Toulouse. A 1617 report describes it as "very dark" and gothic, while in the 19th century its condition deteriorated: a 1850 report indicates a persistent humidity and a "unsolid" structure.

After a partial collapse, the church was demolished in 1861 and rebuilt in neo-Gothic style by architect Théodore Olivier. Consecrated in 1868 by Bishop Florian Desprez, it incorporates elements of the 13th century portal, including carved capitals representing biblical scenes and allegories. This portal, registered as a historical monument in 1950, is remarkable for its zodiac band intertwined with symbols. The church also houses classified furniture, such as a table-console and a procession dais.

Before the Revolution, the building depended on the Basilica of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse. In 1814 Pope Pius VII, returning from captivity, stopped there to pray. Today, the church dominates the square of the Parvis in the historic centre of Grisolles, surrounded by houses, the Calbet Museum and gardens. Its history reflects the architectural and religious transformations of the region, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

External links