CENTRE HISTORIQUE DE CHANAC

The commune of Chanac, located 21 km west of Mende, extends over the Lot valley and the Causse de Sauveterre. Many megaliths, Gallo-Roman site, stalls testify to the various occupations through the ages. To discover the town of Chanac, a brochure "Let yourself be told chanac-le villard" is available free of charge in the premises of the Pays de Chanac tourist office but also at the Mende Tourist Office. Not to be missed in Chanac : La Tour : From the simple fortification erected at the beginning of the 13th century to the prestigious episcopal palace built at the beginning of the 17th century on the ruins left by the Wars of Religion, the Château de Chanac has undergone many changes in its form and in function. The keep is the only vestige of the building which burned on June 2, 1793 and which was one of the most important castles in Gévaudan. The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste : Built in the 13th century, certainly under the episcopate of Guillaume IV de Peyre, the church is in the Gothic style despite some Romanesque formulas that are usual in Gévaudan. It was part of the former Benedictine priory belonging to the domain of the Bishop. Note : Magnificent high altar classified as a Historic Monument in 1924 . According to tradition, it would come from the castle of Chanac, from the disappeared chapel of the bishops of Mende. The coat of arms of Monsignor Cruzy de Marcillac (bishop between 1628-1659) on the tabernacle certainly makes him the sponsor of the tabernacle. The rest of the High Altar probably dates from the 18th century and is in a composite style. Carved and gilded wood. Cartouche with the Sacred Heart of Christ. 19th century: Sacred Heart of Mary on either side of the lamb.

Show less