EGLISE NOTRE-DAME DE L'ASSOMPTION

Listed as a Historic Monument since 1931, the church of Notre Dame de Barre-des-Cevennes, former priory of Notre Dame de l'Assomption, is a Romanesque building from the 12th century. It is built in limestone and has been remodeled several times without losing its harmony and elegance. Several extensions were gradually made to the single nave, with a semicircular vault... The austerity and sobriety of the Romanesque were replaced by the large mullioned windows of the Gothic style, lighting the chapels built over the centuries... Only the chevet with its apse in a semicircular shape decorated with a cornice with modillions, retains its Romanesque style... " This church, owned by the Bishop of Mende, is composed of a nave of three Romanesque bays with a semicircular barrel vault with doubleaux. The apse with a semicircular barrel vault is preceded by a slightly pointed barrel bay, forming a small choir. A chapel to the north (14th century) and three to the south were added, as well as a bay to the west (15th century). This bay forms a porch in its lower part. A groin vault separates this porch from the gallery covered with a ribbed vault. Outside, the apse has a beautiful rubble blockwork alternating between limestone and sandstone. A cornice, supported by a series of bare modillions, highlights the edge of the roof. A bell tower was built at the end of the 18th century, against the west facade of the porch . Text: Philippe Chambon

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