Eglise romane
All that remains of the Romanesque church of Saint-Martin is its beautiful carved portal, which is listed. It retains a great deal of mystery because its history remains unknown.
"The reddish-brown volcanic tuff portal is adorned with three deep voussoirs framed by an archivolt richly decorated with sculpted motifs as strange as they are varied: figures, devouring monsters, mermaids, etc. The same motif can be found on a capital in the Lespéron church, namely that of a figure holding a snake in both hands, its head reaching up to its chin and wrapping around its right leg. The voussoirs rest on columns with sculpted capitals, one of which is particularly striking. It depicts a woman with snakes biting her breasts, a motif generally interpreted as symbolising the punishment of lust. As for the birds pecking at the figure's ears, are they symbols of temptation or slander? In his book "L'architecture des églises romanes du Vivarais", Michel Joly speculates that this portal could be the work of the same workshop that created the façade of the Monastier Saint-Chaffre abbey church, not far from Coucouron. Inside the building, there is a large Christ on the Cross, beautifully carved in oak, a work of art that dates back to the 17th century." http://www.patrimoine-ardeche.com.
Opening / Rates
All year round daily.
Free of charge.
