Église Saint-Étienne de Briare, 19th-century religious monument in Briare, France
Église Saint-Étienne de Briare is a 19th-century church built with interior domes, mosaic decorations, and a 56-meter neo-Gothic bell tower. The tower rises prominently above the town and shapes the skyline of Briare.
Built between 1890 and 1895, this church replaced a medieval structure destroyed by flooding in 1856. Local entrepreneurs Alfred Loreau and Paul Yver funded the project and supported its completion.
The interior floor features medallions depicting life stages, the four elements, and the five senses, created by craftspeople from the local Briare Enamel Manufactory. This work shows how regional artisans brought their skills into the sacred space.
You can explore the church on your own or join a guided tour, with visits taking about 45 minutes. Parking for cars and tour buses is available to make arrival convenient.
The stained glass windows showcase zodiac signs, an uncommon feature in religious architecture designed by Felix Gaudin. This artistic choice blends astronomical symbolism with the sacred space in an unusual way.
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