Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay

The Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay is a Romanesque church with detailed stonework decorating its entrances. Its western facade displays carved figures including griffins, centaurs, and religious scenes that define the structure.

Built between 1120 and 1140 by canons from Poitiers, the church was constructed on the foundations of a former Celtic temple and Gallo-Roman sanctuary. This layering reveals how successive cultures reused the same sacred location.

The church displays a blend of Eastern and Western artistic traditions visible in elephant carvings and decorative elements on its capitals.

Visitors should bring good light or come in the morning to fully see the fine details of the stonework. The church sits in a quiet part of the village that can be easily explored on foot.

The church sits at the intersection of two pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela, bringing travelers from different directions together. Plaster casts of its stonework decorations are displayed at the Architecture and Heritage Museum in Paris.

Location: Aulnay

Inception: 1120

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Part of: Way of Saint James UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

Address: Cimetière

GPS coordinates: 46.02304,-0.35588

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44