Église Notre-Dame-des-Marais de Villefranche-sur-Saône, Medieval church in Villefranche-sur-Saône, France.
Notre-Dame-des-Marais is a former collegiate church in Villefranche-sur-Saône, built from the 13th century and enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its west front and tower were added between 1498 and 1518; the tower carries a dark openwork spire reaching 80 metres. The interior has three naves of eight bays, with chapels along the side naves.
Construction started in the 13th century as a small chapel linked to another church and gradually expanded over time. By the late medieval period, it had grown into a major religious building with additions and changes spanning several centuries.
The name refers to the marshlands that once surrounded this location before the area developed. Visitors can observe the stained glass windows from the late Middle Ages, which show the artistic skill of medieval craftspeople.
The main entrance is located on Rue Nationale in the town center and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should check ahead if tours or visits are possible, as access varies depending on religious services and special events.
The Callinet organ has 2,300 pipes and is classified as a historical monument in its own right, separately from the church listed in 1840. The building's 80-metre spire, ruined by a fire in 1568, was rebuilt in 1862.
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