Bourbon-l'Archambault - Saint-Georges

Bourbon-l'Archambault is the place of origin of the House of Bourbon, a branch of the Capetian dynasty. In Roman times a settlement, named "Bituriges" existed here, and where Saint-Georges is now, once was temple, dedicated to Apollo.

The church was erected in the second half of the 12th century and belonged to a monastery of Benedictine nuns in Saint-Menoux (10kms east). The church, that has parallels in Burgundy and in the Auvergne, got altered and enlarged over the centuries.

During the enlargments many of the medieval capitals got destroyed, but along the nave and around the crossing are still some interesting (multicoloured) ones, strongly influenced by the carvings style common in Auvergne.

Two goat-riders corner a (frightened) devil. One of the rider blows his horn. These goat-riders are an icon, that is typical for Romanesque capitals in the Auvergne.