Durtal

DURTAL (MAINE-ET-LOIRE)

Of the church dedicated to Saint-Léonard, built in the 11th century, only part of the nave wall and its buttresses remain standing. Already neglected after the construction of the new bridge over the river Loir - isolating the Saint-Léonard district from the rest of Durtal - the church was destroyed during the Revolution.

At the bottom of the rue Saint-Léonard, near the old bridge, a chapel dedicated to Saint-Leonard was erected in the 11th century by the monks of Saint-Serge. Long neglected, the chapel is being rescued by an association of volunteers.

Left: Saint-Roch and Saint-Giles; centre: crucifixion scene; right: two saints

Saint Giles (710-740?) is often represented with his hind. Legend has it that, as the King of Goths was hunting a hind, on whose milk the hermit survived, the arrow struck Saint Giles. Full of remorse, the king founded a monastery for him. Saint Roch (1350-1380), often invoked against the plague in France and Italy. When he caught the disease, legend has it that he was first succoured by a dog.

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