Unlike most churches here in the Loire Valley Notre-Dame in
the town of Montbazon does not hold a lofty position - in
this case that is given over to the
dungeon with its statue of the Virgin Mary sitting
somewhat out of place on top. To find the church you have to
walk along the tight Rue des Moulins to actually find the
entrance to the church
This 18th century church (replaced an earlier 16th century
example) is worth seeking out - what a pleasant surprise
awaits you!
The barrel vaulted nave's ceiling and walls have
been elaborately painted ...
actually providing too many distractions for you to
take in immediately, you have to stop and take stock! The
stencilled artwork is set around ornate stained-glass
windows from the prolific 19th century 'Lobin' factory in
Tours. The two centre windows above the altar depict key
moments in the life of Mary to whom the church is dedicated.
She herself is on the left with John the baptist on the
right.
It is all mainly the work of two artists Jules Benard
and Alexandre Ripault who painted all of the interior
including the barrel-vaulted nave and its walls in 1863.
Henri Grandin, a master painter, painted all of the
faces to the figures that Benard and Ripault had
created. Grandin also painted the rstatues and ‘stations
of the cross’.
Where's Joan in all of this? she would only ever be second
fiddle to Mary...so no place for her! Though Barbara is well
represented!
The baptismal font has an appropriate painting of John the
Baptist doing what he did best as a backdrop.
Looking back towards the main door you get the impression
you are in an art galley rather than a church.
If you find yourself stuck in the congestion that can be
Montbazon pull into the car park and seek out this
little gem!
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"Author: Jim
Craig"
