Saint-Pierre church in Le Clion

  • PORCH OF THE CHURCH OF CLION, religious heritage, Middle Ages, destination pornic
  • Bell tower of the church of Le Clion sur mer, bell, destination pornic
  • Church of Le Clion sur Mer
  • Church of Le Clion sur Mer
  • Church of Le Clion sur Mer
PORCH OF THE CHURCH OF CLION, religious heritage, Middle Ages, destination pornic Bell tower of the church of Le Clion sur mer, bell, destination pornic Church of Le Clion sur Mer Church of Le Clion sur Mer Church of Le Clion sur Mer

Presentation

Saint-Pierre du Clion church was built in the Middle Ages. Altered in the 17th century, it was enlarged in the 19th century. It is probably the only church in the Pays de Retz where you can admire a real carillon dating from 1857.
The church at Le Clion is remarkable for its high, massive square tower, like a dungeon, and its eastern wall, which is attached to the tower. It is thought to date back to the 15th century, or even the 14th century.

This tower, which stands 18 metres high (37 m with the spire), is a bell tower-porch, consisting of :
  • a bell tower with the bell chamber on the top floor,
  • a ground-level porch, the building's sumptuous entrance. The sloping buttresses rise from the ground to the top, giving it a powerful, haughty appearance.

Built during the Hundred Years' War, this bell tower-porch probably originally served as a watchtower for the river Haute-Perche, which flows nearby to the north of the village.

The watchtower was later converted into a bell tower, and the church was rebuilt in 1636, as evidenced by the inscription on the porch. It is the only 17th-century church in the Pays de Retz.

The sober architecture of the building bears witness to the "Louis XIII style":
  • Superfluous decorations are banished.
  • The stonework is visible and sparsely sculpted.
  • The paving is very basic.

This church dates from the period of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, which encouraged the use of Mannerist and Baroque interior decoration.

After the Revolution, the church fell into ruin.

A first restoration took place around 1825, under the impetus of Mademoiselle du Tressay de La Sicaudais.

From 1837 onwards, a complete renovation began under the leadership of the parish priest Fierabras. The most important works began in 1856.
In 1857, the famous ten-bell mechanism carillon was acquired, which is still in use today. The bells can be rung in the full octave, making it possible to play the Ave Maria and Il est né le Divin Enfant.
 
Information
  • PERIOD OF SITE OR HISTORIC MONUMENT :
    • Medieval
    • Renaissance
    • 19th century
  • RELIGIOUS HERITAGE :
    • Church
  • VISITS :
    • Individual admission (without guide)
  • PETS :
    • Pets allowed
  • Geographical zone :
    • Pornic

Map

Map

FICHE_INFO_SIMPLE_LIBELLE_DESTINATION
Eglise Saint-Pierre du Clion
2 rue André Louërat
Le Clion sur Mer
44210
PORNIC
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 47.12264
Longitude : -2.05356
See Saint-Pierre church in Le Clion on GoogleMaps
LIEN_ACCES_MOTEUR_RESA_FICHE
Contact details
Saint-Pierre church in Le Clion
2 rue André Louërat
Le Clion sur Mer
44210
PORNIC
Website "Saint-Pierre church in Le Clion"
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