Lagrauliere - Saint-Marcel

Saint-Marcel dominates the center of Lagrauliere like a castle. Built in the 12th century on older foundations the church underwent a couple of alterations, fortifications and renovations over the centuries. Once monks from the Cistercian Obazine Abbey (30kms south) lived in the top floors of the tower.

Saint-Marcel dominates the center of Lagrauliere like a castle. Built in the 12th century on older foundations the church underwent a couple of alterations, fortifications and renovations over the centuries. Once monks from the Cistercian Obazine Abbey (30kms south) lived in the top floors of the tower.

The Cistercians may not have been the first here, as despite Bernard of Clairvaux´s damnation of sculptural works, the Romanesque portal of Saint-Marcel is remarkable. This may be a proof of an earlier influence from some unknown Cluniac place.

The western portal of Saint-Marcel under a line of granite corbels are slightly pointed archivolts, flanked by large reliefs on either sides.