Loches

Of the collegial church of Our-Lady, built between 963 and 985, only a small crypt under the chapel of the southern arm of the transept remains. The parish church of Saint-Ours, as we see it today, essentially dates back to the mid-12th century. The gate tower was erected in the 11th century. The porch and western doorway were built in the late 12th century.

I) - WESTERN DOORWAY

The three recessed orders of the round-arched western doorway are adorned with fantastic animals, plants and various polychrome figures. Framing the extrados, no tympanum but three registers of polychrome decorations. Going up from the springers of the archivolt: 1) on the right: Saint Peter; on the left: a bishop. 2) Four unidentified figures. 3) Above the archivolt: at the centre, a Virgin in Majesty; on the left: The Adoration of the Magi; on the right: the Sleeping Magi ( in the same bed) and Joseph.

III) - MURAL PAINTINGS:

1)

1) 11th century: Saint Brice. A poor man taken in by Saint Martin and who became his disciple and successor as bishop of Tours in 397. He died in 444. His name comes from the Latin "brictius." The paintings has been moved from the crypt to the chapel in the southern arm of the transept.

Saint-Brice

2) 12th century: