Chapelle Saint-Étienne de Vaissière d'Azille, chapel located in Aude, in France
Chapelle Saint-Étienne de Vaissière d'Azille is a Romanesque chapel featuring six decorative columns on its central apse, with three on the south side showing signs of wear over centuries. The building has a central apse with side aisles on each side, creating the typical Romanesque layout.
The building was constructed in the 11th century and underwent reconstruction of its central apse during the 12th century. This modification marks two distinct architectural periods in the chapel's development.
The chapel shows pre-Romanesque features visible in the solid stone lintels above the windows in each side aisle. These elements reveal older building phases that were incorporated into the Romanesque structure.
The building sits roughly 5 kilometers west of Azille, south of the Rieux-Minervois road, surrounded by vineyards. It is located near the Argent-Double river and is most easily reached from the nearby country road.
The south facade displays four large discharge arches, with one of them containing the entrance door to the building. This feature is uncommon in smaller Romanesque chapels and gives the structure an unusual architectural quality.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.