Saint-Jean-des-Échelles

The church of Saint-John-the-Baptist was erected in the 12th century and substantially altered in the 16th century. The present chancel was probably built at that time at the eastern end of the primitive nave. The round Romanesque tower was also replaced by the present square one. The roof frame is supported by wooden beams , which can be seen on the northern and southern walls of the nave. This type of construction is rare. There is only one other example in the region, in Jupilles, on the edge of the forest of Bercé.

I) - PAINTED WOODEN PANELS (FORMER RETABLE): 16th century

The southern and northern walls of the chancel are each decorated with two wooden panel with four scenes from the New Testament on each panel.

II) POLYCHROME BAS-RELIEF (16th century)

This bas-relief is probably only a part of a more important reredos, dismantled when the ground plan of the church was altered and reused to decorate a wall separating the nave from a lateral chapel. The scenes are from the life of Saint John the Baptist and Christ.