Église de l'Invention-de-Saint-Étienne de Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, Romanesque church in Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, France.
The Église de l'Invention-de-Saint-Étienne is a Romanesque church built with thick stone walls and decorative stone moldings that reflect traditional southern French construction. Inside, a nave connects to side chapels, while a bell tower rises above the northern arm of the transept.
The church was first recorded in 983 and underwent major changes during the Religious Wars. Its nave was rebuilt in 1659 to reflect contemporary building practices of that time.
This place of worship remains central to the town's spiritual life and houses artworks that reflect local religious traditions. The paintings and furnishings show what mattered to believers across centuries.
The church is accessible during daylight hours, allowing visitors to explore its architecture at their own pace. The Romanesque details are visible from outside, and those entering should allow time to appreciate the interior chapels and artworks.
The bell tower serves a dual purpose by housing the church bell while also functioning as the town's municipal clock. This blend of religious and civic duty makes the tower an unusual landmark for the community.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
