Visite commentée de la collégiale, Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

From Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 September: VILLEMAUR-SUR-VANNE - Guided tour of the collegiate church, European Heritage Days. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tour of this collegiate church dating from the 13th century, famous for its carved wooden rood screen, made in 1521. Visits are possible to the restoration site of the bell tower. This 13th century collegiate church is famous for its carved wooden rood screen dating from 1521, in the purest style of the "École Champenoise". The sober architecture of the choir and the transept from the 13th century, as well as the nave from the 16th century, are covered with a beautiful wooden hoop. The limestone and wood, intimately linked, give the treasure of this church - the rood screen - all its importance. Formerly polychromed, this famous rood screen, which completely closes the choir, is of remarkable finesse and astonishing decorative richness. A true book of instruction and mediation for pilgrims in the Middle Ages, it is signed and dated 1521. It is the largest and richest surviving wooden rood screen in France. Twenty-six bas-reliefs decorate the gallery: Gothic-style ornaments on the choir side, and Renaissance-style on the nave side, marking the artistic transition in Champagne at the beginning of the 16th century. The authors here express their belonging to the transitional art of Champagne and draw inspiration from the engravings of Dürer, Schongauer and Cranach the Elder. Woodwork, stalls, statuary, and tombstones from the 13th to the 17th century make the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame an exceptional place, where art fully expresses the tradition and history of southern Champagne. Contact: +33 (0)6 67 86 44 94

Last updated on 06/09/2025 - Office de Tourisme Othe Armance