Challes

SGRAFITTI - SGRAFITTO MURAL PAINTINGS

The primitive church probably dates from the 11th century but underwent considerable alterations until the early 16th century. The transept dates back to the 13th century and the tower to the 14th century. The chancel was rebuilt in the 16th century and its gable decorated with sgrafitto frescoes. Pierre de Ronsard was vicar of Challes, although he never officiated.

Sgraffito is a decorating technique developed centuries ago. In its simplest embodiment, fresh mortar is coated with a mixture of wood ashes and whitewash, itself covered with a thin layer of whitewash. Then a pattern or picture is added by carving through or scraping off the uppermost layer to reveal the bluish coating of ash and whitewash underneath.