Lugand, Jacques. Languedoc roman: le Languedoc méditerranéen. La Pierre-qui-vire: Zodiaque,
1985.
SAINT-JOUIN-DE-MARNES
. Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes (Deux-Sèvres), renowned for the relics of the 4th-century hermit
Jovinus, was one of the oldest abbeys of the Poitou. The transept of the present church,
crowned by an octagonal dome on squinches, and the first bay of the choir date from the
late 11th century. The complex Angevin vaults of the seven eastern bays of the long nave
are 13th-century, as are those of the choir, ambulatory, and three radiating chapels. The
south transept, facing the keep of Moncontour, retains part of the 14th-century
fortifications; to the north are the remains of the Gothic cloister.
In the high gable of the west façade, Christ sits in majesty before a cross potent,
flanked by angels. Thirty small figures converge in two groups toward the Virgin beneath
his feet. Other sculptures frame the windows of the three bays of the twin-turreted façade.
Although enigmatic in detail, the general theme of both sculpture and architecture is one
of triumph.
Jean M.French
Labande-Mailfert, Yvonne. Poitou roman. La Pierre-qui-vire: Zodiaque, 1957.
Maillard, Elisa. “La façade de l’église romane de Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes en Poitou.” Gazette des
beaux-arts 5th ser. 9(1924): 137–50.
Oursel, Raymond. Haut-Poitou roman. La Pierre-qui-vire: Zodiaque, 1975.
Rhein, A. “Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes.” Congrès archéologique (Angers et Saumur) 77(1910):108–19.
SAINT-LÉONARD-DE-NOBLAT
. The picturesque town of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat (Haute Vienne), retaining some
medieval houses, recalls the 6th-century hermit and savior of prisoners whose cult spread
throughout the medieval West. The collegiate church presents complex problems for the
architectural historian due to the many discrepancies in plan, supports, and vaulting. The
walls of the nave and transept are 11th-century; the nave supports and vaulting, the
domes of the crossing and transept arms, and the impressive choir were modified or
rebuilt in the 12th century; the façade is Gothic. The problems of chronology have been
compounded by later restorations. Nevertheless, the high and ample choir, with its
elegant columns, ambulatory and seven radiating chapels, the “limousin” belfry
(restored), and the 11th-century domed “Sepulcher” attest to the importance of Saint-
Léonard as a pilgrimage site.
Jean M.French
[See also: PILGRIMAGE]
Fage, René. “Saint-Léonard.” Congrès archéologique (Limoges et Brive) 84 (1921):89–116.
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