Église Saint-Martin de Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, Gothic church in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, France.
The Église Saint-Martin is a Gothic church featuring two identical naves and a massive tower supported by buttresses that rises above the town. The tower is crowned with a pyramidal roof added in 1786, which remains its most distinctive architectural element.
The original church dating to the 12th century was deliberately burned down in 1475 on the orders of King Louis XI to prevent English forces from using it. The current building rose from the reconstruction that followed this destruction.
The church walls display a distinctive checkerboard pattern made from cut flint and stone, reflecting traditional building methods common to the Picardy coast. This decorative technique became characteristic of the region's architectural identity.
The church is open to visitors daily and entry is free, allowing you to explore the architectural details at your own pace. Plan your visit for a clear day to best appreciate the flint patterns and the tower from different angles around the building.
Master builders from the region left their personal marks by carving small checkerboard patterns into the exterior walls, serving as their professional signature. These handcrafted marks remain visible today and tell the story of the medieval artisans who constructed the church.
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