Rieux - Saint-Denis

Not much is known about the history of Saint-Denis. The first documents mentioning it, are only a few centuries old. It was probably erected within the 12th century, but modified and enlarged during the next centuries.

Mid of the 19th century the structure was ruined and ready for demolition. In 1862, the nave was separated from transept and choir. It got renovated and the local school opened here. Soon after, the mairie moved, later apartments for the teachers were built.

The rest of the ruined structure got restored and since then serves the parish again. Some parts of the first Romanesque church survived the times and all later modifications.

This is clearly younger and got created, when the transept got Gothic vaults. There are three icons. To the left is a peasant with a spade and a sickle. The right one may depicts the head of a bull/cow. The creature in the center is a large, four legged flying insect. Probably an unknown chimera. All together may stand for a noble house, a family that funded the vaulting.