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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Tournemire, located in the Cantal department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, is a religious building dating back to the 12th century. It was thoroughly redesigned in the 15th century after being ravaged in 1360 during the siege of the adjacent castle. This monument, now classified as historical monuments since 1944, is the last vestige of the feudal castle of the Tournemire, local seigneurial family.

According to a legend reported by Dom Claude Béral, a Benedictine monk, Rigaud I of Tournemire (circa 1015-1060) took part in a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and returned with a thorn of the Crown of Christ. This relic, still preserved in the church, is at the heart of its history. The building, marked by Romanesque capitals and Gothic additions, presents an unusual architecture: seven side chapels with fire, a porch, and a baldaquin Louis XIV.

The nave of the 12th century, bent in the 15th century, has veined vaults decorated with coats of arms of the lords of Tournemire. The south side entrance, the steep bell tower and the flat bedside reflect the adaptations associated with its position adjacent to the mountain. Inside, a wooden stand accessible by a stone staircase and decorative elements from both periods testify to its architectural evolution.

Classified as a historical monument in 1944, the church now belongs to the municipality of Tournemire. Its moulure archvolt portal, its mixed capitals (Romans and 15th century) and its Crusade-related history make it a remarkable religious and architectural heritage of the Haute-Auvergne.

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