Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ainay-le-Vieil

The parish church of Saint-Martin was erected in Ainay within the late 12th and the 13th century, supported for sure by the Capetians / Bourbons, who at that time owned the neighbouring castle, that is dubbed today (after many alterations, modifications and enlargements) "le petit Carcassonne". The Gothic nave, seen from the gallery. A real estate agent would probably tell the visitor that the church needs some tender loving care. I would call that an "urgent restoration" is needed.

The parish church of Saint-Martin was erected in Ainay within the late 12th and the 13th century, supported for sure by the Capetians / Bourbons, who at that time owned the neighbouring castle, that is dubbed today (after many alterations, modifications and enlargements) "le petit Carcassonne". The church has an extraordanary portal with the five lobes that are even embellished with very small heads. The architectonic "mozarabic" style of the portal roots in Moorish architecture, that the "pelerins" had seen in Spain.

The parish church of Saint-Martin was erected in Ainay within the late 12th and the 13th century, strongly supported for sure by the Capetians / Bourbons, who at that time owned the castle here. This castle changed hands a couple of times and for some decades was owned by Jacques Cœur, one of the most remarkable merchants in medieval Europe and "finance minister" ("l’argentier") of Charles VII (aka "Charles le Bien Servi" = "Charles the Well-Served"). In 1467 it was acquired by Charles de Chevenon, seigneur de Bigny, whose descendents still live here, though they may not use the "side chapel" added to the church for the noble family within the 16th century.