Sculptures at Charroux Abbey

Vue des sculptures de l'abbaye de Charroux

In the chapter house, discover superb 13th-century sculptures from the Gothic portal, in a perfect state of preservation!

Delicate faces

Kings, saints and angels...

Around 1250-1270, the monks decided to put the finishing touches to the abbey church by adding a triple portal .

Traces of this construction have survived, notably the sculpted decoration on display in the abbey.

The monks probably called on the best sculptors' workshops. The quality of this decoration rivals that of cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris or Amiens.

At Charroux, the monks chose to depict Christ the Judge , with the dead rising from their graves at his feet. Around him are angels, apostles, prophets, virgins, bishops and kings. And they all look different: young or old, bearded or beardless...

Fortunately, these sculptures were saved from destruction thanks to the Société des antiquaires de l'Ouest.

Can you find the smiling king?