Church

The old church of Saint-Germain-Lespinasse was located west of the current town. The current cemetery chapel marks the location and still includes a span of the parish building.
Its limited dimensions prompted the municipality to build another one closer to the National Road 7, along which the new constructions had been established.

Like many religious buildings, this one is largely due to the generosity of the bourgeoisie and parishioners. The neo-Romanesque architecture is inspired by models from Poitou according to the plans of Bernard, architect of Lyon.

To fit the location, the core faces south. The bell tower placed on the facade houses a bell dated 1808, two others from 1876. Above the entrance, the tympanum sculpted in bas-relief represents the "Resurrection of the son of the widow Naïm".

The windows come from the workshops of Mauvernay (Saint-Galmier - Loire), Hörner (Nacy) and Barrelon (Grigny-Rhône). Among the holy figures represented, some of which recall the patrons of the donors, note should be taken of the stained glass window showing Saint Germain, bishop of Auxerre, blessing Geneviève, still a child, whom he had met during a trip to Paris.

The entire interior of the church was painted by Etienne Zacchéo, a member of a family of painters-decorators who worked a lot in Roannais and in Stéphanois.
This decor is made up of a series of thirteen paintings grouping Christ and his apostles, dating back to the XNUMXth century.
There are also two other large paintings from the XNUMXth century: a "Crucifixion" given by the Emperor, and an "Adoration of the Magi", a copy of a work by Rubens signed R. Ménard.

Individual visit services

• Unguided individual tours permanently

Group visits services

• Unguided group tours permanently

Free

Free access.

Equipments

• Picnic area.
• Public toilets
• Parking
• Parking nearby
• Coach parking