Poncé-sur-le-Loir

EGLISE SAINT-JULIEN

The legend: When saint Julien, first bishop of Le Mans, visited the Ponciatus villa to raise funds for the construction of a church, the owner of the land - a woman called Eva - refused to pay. Later, when St Julien learnt that Eva was possessed by an evil spirit, he sent one of his servants who cured her. She then offered St Julien her fortune so that he could found the church that was to become Saint-Julien.

The facts: The church was probably built in the early 12^thcentury. Despite numerous alterations, the nave remains a good example of pure early 12th-century Romanesque style. The clock-tower with its saddle-roof dates back to the late 12^thcentury.

The Romanesque paintings that adorn the walls of the nave are among the finest in the Loir valley. The mural paintings of the chancel are modern.

1) 1) Reverse of the west wall: