Twisted spires

SPIRAL SPIRES IN ANJOU AND MAINE

There are a certain number of churches with spiral spires in the Beaugé area (not far from Angers) and near La Flèche. They are probably the work of the same group of master carpenters wishing to demonstrate their skill. It is unlikely that the "twisting" of the spire had natural causes as some of the spires are twisted clockwiseand others anti-clockwise. One of them - in Pontigné - is a perfect spiral. The one in Vieil Baugé is both twisted and leaning. When you examine the beams inside the spire the effect seems deliberate and not accidental. In fact, some apprentices still have to build miniature "clochers tors" as their "masterpiece."

The sketch on the right shows the gradual rotation of the cross pieces

The "spiral" effect in the spire of Crosmières (between La Flèche and Sablé) is due to the gradual sinking of the foundations.