Once again, coming back from my road warrior trails in my belle France. This one after many passing finally went in City center of Thouars, with great architecture and history to boot. You will see plenty in next posts stay tune, The City of Thouars is located in the Deux-Sèvres department no. 79 in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of my belle France. Thouars has been awarded the 4-flower flower town label and the Town of Art and History label, Therefore, here is my take on the Church Saint Médard of Thouars !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Church Saint-Médard, in the place Saint Médard is a Romanesque style church, square bell tower, portal with four archivolts, stained glass windows from 1886, Its initial location, away from the city’s fortifications, earned it the nickname Saint-Médard-des-Champs. At the end of the 12C and beginning of the 13C, it was incorporated into the city walls and found itself at the heart of the town and its economic activity.
Only a few elements of the original church remain. Only the interior wall of the façade survives. The current façade was built towards the end of the 12C. The church was enlarged during the 13C. The 15C was a period of major transformations for the church, which gave it its current appearance. In the choir, near the altar, one can admire a beautiful lectern, in the shape of an eagle, from the 18C. On the faces the radiating triangle symbolizes the Trinity.
The large stained glass window in the apse bay depicts Saint Médard giving the deaconess veil to Radegonde , To the north of the choir is a Virgin and Child, with the inscription Mater Dei, “Mother of God” . In the Saint-Louis Chapel, the large stained glass windows show Saint Louis administering justice and a Death of the holy king in Carthage in 1270. A Sacred Heart is surrounded by Blessed Françoise d’Amboise ,daughter of the Viscount of Thouars, in the 15C, and Marguerite Marie Alacoque, whom Jesus asked in the 17C to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart. The stained-glass windows on the south wall, from 2005, depict Saints Joseph, Hilary of Poitiers, Théophane Vénard, Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, and Saint James. 16C stall backs are in the Saint-Louis Chapel. In this chapel, beneath a large crucifix flanked by statues of Mary and John, stands an imposing war memorial. It features a crucified Christ looking down at a dying soldier, decorated with the Croix de Guerre, who rests on a flag and holds his saber. Beneath it, one reads: “To the children of the parish of Saint Médard who died for France 1914-1918.” There are also statues, not yet mentioned, such as an Anthony of Padua, a Thérèse of the Child Jesus of a rare model with the inscription: “I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth…” A confessional and the pulpit have been preserved. A 17C marble holy water font is at the entrance.
The 5 southern side chapels include altar-tombs with Maltese crosses and paintings, There is a Saint Francis of Assisi from the 17C; A Baptism of Jesus, late 17C-early 18C, near the baptismal font with octagonal basin; A Saint Roch, late 18C early 19C; An altarpiece with the icon of the Virgin of the Passion; A repentant Mary Magdalene early 17C. The high altar is decorated on the front with Christ surrounded by the evangelists, all seated. Following the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), as celebrations facing the people became more widespread to increase participation by the faithful, a wooden altar was installed at the junction of the 4th and 5th bays of the nave. Two other altars are against the apse wall. They are dedicated: on the left, to Mary ,the front shows a Virgin and Child between Saint Dominic receiving the rosary and a pope; on the right, to Joseph in front is a Holy Family. They are surmounted by the statues of Mary and Joseph. In the Saint-Louis Chapel, were placed the altar-tomb decorated with a Maltese cross and the altarpiece of the abbey of Chambon , after the suppression of the abbeys in 1791. This altarpiece is composed of three parts, with the usual decoration of the 17C winged cherubs, fruits, flowers, acanthus, fluted pilasters, etc.
The town of Thouars on the religious monuments so Saint Médard: https://thouars.fr/ville-dhistoire/decouvrir-le-territoire/points-dinterets/monuments-religieux/
The Thouars tourist office on the abbey Church Saint Médard: https://www.maisonduthouarsais.com/decouvrir/patrimoine.html?alias=%C3%A9glise-saint-m%C3%A9dard
The Deux Sévres dept 79 tourist office on the Church Saint Médard: https://www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com/activite/eglise-saint-medard/
The Nouvelle Aquitaine region heritage site on the Church Saint Médard of Thouars : https://www.patrimoine-nouvelle-aquitaine.fr/Default/doc/Dossier/badf3eac-bade-4e72-98a0-61761da3e58d/eglise-saint-medard-a-thouars
There you go folks, again, another gem of my belle France ! This is in wonderful City to be seen by all , rather staying in the off the beaten path trails, Again, great architecture and history as always, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Church Saint Médard of Thouars !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 