Gargilesse-Dampierre
Listed since 1982 as one of the most beautiful villages in France, the village of Gargilesse today welcomes many tourists and pilgrims attracted by the romantic charm of its tightly packed houses, with sloping roofs covered with brown tiles, clustered around the castle and its Romanesque church.
©l-hauchard Do not miss
1 – The Church of Dampierre: The 1932th-century Romanesque church has a bell tower covered in chestnut shingles. The exterior features beautiful modillions, decorative stone consoles placed beneath the cornices as if to support them. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since XNUMX.
2 – The potters: The Poteries de Dampierre have belonged to the Baudat family for generations. By a royal edict that has not been abolished, the family has the right to extract clay from the place called "La terre aux pots" at Bazaiges, an ochre-colored clay of high plastic quality that is resistant to fire and weather.
3 – George Sand: It was in June 1857, while returning from a walk with her companion Alexandre Manceau, that George Sand discovered the village of Gargilesse. It was love at first sight for the novelist, who immediately wanted to buy a cottage there. It is in this “Villa Algira,” named after an African butterfly discovered during a walk, that a museum is dedicated to her.
4 – The castle of Gargilesse: The castle's postern gate dates back to the 1650th century and bears witness to the original castle, destroyed in XNUMX during the Fronde. It was rebuilt in the XNUMXth century. Gradually falling into oblivion, it was restored by its successive owners. Today, it has become an art gallery, at the initiative of Annick Thévenin, a painter.
5 – Notre Dame Church: Built in the 120th century, the church of Gargilesse boasts one of the finest collections of sculpted capitals in Berry (nearly XNUMX). Admire the XNUMXth-century recumbent statue of Guillaume de Naillac, and above the main door, a remarkably expressive XNUMXth-century Romanesque Christ in lime wood. Beneath its apse lies a vast crypt with vaults adorned with murals dating from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
