Triumphant Christ with symbols of the four Evangelists, the sun, and the moon. The
beautiful arcading, the richly carved radiating voussoirs, and the ornamental masonry of
gable, roofs, and crossing tower enrich the decorative effect. The remains of Romanesque
frescoes decorate both the choir and the small crypt.
The cathedral of Saint-Pierre (begun ca. 1162) is a “hall church,” with ribbed vaults
and flat chevet enclosing three apsidioles, whose construction spans several centuries.
The tripartite façade with a central rose, like the tympana of the portals, reflects northern
Gothic influence. The cathedral contains fine stained-glass windows, the most
outstanding of which is a magnificent Crucifixion (ca. 1150–70), with the Ascension
above and the crucifixion of St. Peter below. The choirstalls with carved misericords are
among the oldest in France (ca. 1235–57).
The former abbey church of Saint-Jean de Montierneuf (1076–96) was mutilated
following the partial collapse of the crossing tower in 1640. The disposition of the
original chevet, similar to that of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand, is nevertheless striking in its
amplitude: apse with ambulatory and radiating chapels, a broad transept with eastern
apsidioles. The superstructure of the choir is Gothic.
All that remains of the Romanesque church of Saint-Porchaire that housed the relics of
the 6th-century abbot of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand is the impressive three-storied tower
porch (11th c.) built against a primitive façade. The arcading of the porch rests on
sculptured capitals; above the portal is a relief of Christ in Majesty surrounded by the
four Evangelists and two angels. The body of the church is 16th-century. In the tower
hangs the old bell of the university, founded in 1431.
Now a book depot for the university library, the former abbey church of Saint-Hilaire-
de-la-Celle (late 12th c.), built over the foundations of St. Hilary’s house, retains its deep
choir and semicircular apse, strongly projecting transept with eastern apsidioles, and the
remarkable octagonal ribbed cupola of the crossing.
The remains of the palace of the counts of Poitiers consist of a 12th-century donjon
rebuilt under John, duke of Berry, and a large hall of the late 12th-early 13th century. The
wall with monumental triple chimney was also rebuilt under John of Berry, whose statue
accompanies those of Charles VI, Isabeau of Bavaria, and Jeanne de Boulogne.
Jean M.French
[See also: CHARLES MARTEL; POITIERS, BATTLE OF; POITOU; RADEGUND;
ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE]
Blomme, Yves. “La construction de la cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Poitiers,” Bulletin monumental
152 (1994):7–65.
Camus, Marie-Thérèse. “La sculpture romane à Poiters.” Archaeologia 117 (1978):53–66.
Crozet, René. L’art roman en Poitou. Paris: Laurens, 1948.
Dez, Gaston, Paul Deschamps, Marcel Aubert, et al. Congrès archéologique (Poitiers) 109
(1951):9–143.
Labande-Mailfert, Yvonne. Poitou roman. 2nd ed. La Pierre-quivire: Zodiaque, 1962.
Oursel, Raymond. Haut-Poitou roman. 2nd ed. La Pierre-quivire: Zodiaque, 1984.
Rhein, André. “Poitiers.” Congrès archéologique (Angoulême) 79 (1912):240–332.
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