Église Saint-Jacques, Medieval church in Illiers-Combray, France.
Église Saint-Jacques is a medieval church in Illiers-Combray with a nave measuring 44 meters long and 14.3 meters wide, topped by a polychromatic vaulted ceiling. The interior displays various architectural layers, including a chapel with a flat vault decorated with ornamental pendants in late flamboyant style.
Reconstruction of the church began in 1453 following its destruction during the Hundred Years War, led by Lord Florent d'Illiers. This major rebuilding reflected the community's determination to restore their central place of worship.
The carved heads and coats of arms decorating the vault beams represent local noble families whose presence shaped the church for centuries. These ornaments tell the story of the people who lived here and supported the building.
The main entrance features a wide stone staircase with nine steps leading to a wooden double door decorated with coats of arms. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since accessing the entrance requires climbing these steps.
The Chapel of the Holy Virgin was blessed in 1861 and displays a flat vault with seventeen pendants added after the main building was completed. These later additions give the chapel its own character and show how the church evolved over generations.
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