Meurcé

ounded in the 12th century, under the name of Notre-Dame-des-Bois, it was significantly restored in the 17th century, but is still surrounded by its old graveyard. A redwood tree brought back from America now towers above the steeple of the edifice

The redwood tree actually dominates the nave and even the steeple of the church (south wall)

On your left, as you enter the church, above the font, is a 17th-century delicately carved wooden processional canopy carried by four men who bore "the weight of the Blessed Sacrament"

"Here lies the body of the defunct honourable Master Michel le

Mesnaiger, this charitable priest

Who, by testament, seven acres of land

And a pasture has bequeathed, which will guarantee

And Found the divine service of a mass every Sunday morning

To pray God for himself and all his friends

That He give them peace in His holy Paradise

Obiit 18 March 1620" (I.S. M. H. 1908)

Brass plaque (close-up) The priest is kneeling in prayer on a mound in front of a cross. The setting: two horsemen, various figures, the walls of a city; and in the distance church towers. Curiously, on the right of the priest, a little dog apparently trained to hold a lighted candle in its mouth...

Nativity of the Virgin: 17th-century oil on canvas by François Mongendre. South chapel (S. Anne). Although the painting is a homage to S. Anne, the focal point is Mary

Nativity (15th century) painted on a wood panelling of the south chapel

Meurcé

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