Church

The building is one of the oldest in the canton. Its origin dates back to around the year 1000. A document called "Cartulaire de Savigny", which was used to list the churches, mentions the Ecclesia de Sales (the Church of the Rooms). We find in another edition of this same work a quotation in 1225 (Ecclesia de Salis) and in 1361 (Sancti Petri di Salis). Until the revolution the town was called "St Pierre des Salles". It then took the name "Les Salles".

It was the mother church of Cervières because in 1181, Guy II Count of Forez had a fortification built on the territory of the parish of Les Salles in a place called Cervières.
The heritage interest of the church lies in the overlapping of several eras as well as in the evolution of the building over the centuries.
The nave is covered by a slightly broken barrel vault and directly above the bell tower, the span preceding the choir is surmounted by a cupola with squinches arranged at each of the angles. These are achievements of the Romanesque period.
The south side aisle, made up of two bays with ribbed vaults, is a fine example of Gothic architecture from the second half of the 1960th century. The choir, the sacristy and the western facade in Volvic stone, with the exception of the old porch, were rebuilt around the middle of the XNUMXth century. The north aisle, after collapse, was built in the XNUMXs.

Following the tradition of the time, the interior of the church was enhanced by murals including decorative elements highlighting the architecture.

In 1994, the church underwent an interior restoration which made it possible to bring back into view the old murals which have been superimposed since the XNUMXth century.
Thus the church can bear witness to each of these eras and its visit can be likened to a journey through a great history book.

Individual visit services

• Unguided individual tours permanently

Group visits services

• Unguided group tours permanently

Free

Free access.

Equipments

• Parking nearby