Saint-Mexme Collegiate
A 15-century collegiate church in Chinon, blending Romanesque architecture with stunning frescoes and modern art installations.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better for viewing
Saint-Mexme Collegiate
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better for viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 15-century collegiate church in Chinon, blending Romanesque architecture with stunning frescoes and modern art installations.
"A beautiful historic site, but access to its most significant features is often restricted to costly guided tours."
Check Event Schedules
Concerts can impact access & create noise. Verify event calendars before your visit! :calendar:
Paid Tours for Full Access
Free tours are limited. For deeper historical insights, book a paid guided tour in advance. :ticket:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
15th-Century Last Judgement Fresco
Chapel on the right upon entry
A beautifully preserved fresco depicting the Last Judgement, a must-see for art and history enthusiasts.
Romanesque Nave (11th Century)
Main church area
Experience the early Romanesque architecture of the nave, a significant example of art from the Touraine region.
Abstract Stained Glass
Avant-nave
Modern abstract stained-glass windows by painter Olivier Debré add a contemporary artistic layer to the historic space.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Understand the Dual Nature
Book Tours in Advance
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Event Schedules
Concerts can impact access & create noise. Verify event calendars before your visit! :calendar:
Paid Tours for Full Access
Free tours are limited. For deeper historical insights, book a paid guided tour in advance. :ticket:
Research Before You Go
Limited signage on-site. Online research or guidebooks offer more context. :books:
Appreciate the Mix
Embrace the blend of ancient history and modern performance art. :performing_arts:
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Event Schedules
Concerts can impact access & create noise. Verify event calendars before your visit! :calendar:
Paid Tours for Full Access
Free tours are limited. For deeper historical insights, book a paid guided tour in advance. :ticket:
Research Before You Go
Limited signage on-site. Online research or guidebooks offer more context. :books:
Appreciate the Mix
Embrace the blend of ancient history and modern performance art. :performing_arts:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Saint-Mexme Collegiate is a historically significant monument with beautiful frescoes, particularly the 15th-century Last Judgement. However, its dual use as a performance venue leads to access restrictions and noise concerns, with many key historical areas only available via costly guided tours.
"Nice monument with poor acoustic isolation. Sadly reused for concerts that are more noise and nuisance than anything else, making the whole historic area a very loud disservice."
Pascal Pompey
"The frescoed chapel with a 15th-century Last Judgement, as you enter on the right, is very beautiful.
The rest of the church has been transformed into an open-air theater. The location is evocative, but some of the other frescoes preserved there are difficult to read because they are very old, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
On the floor above, there is a small fresco of the Crucifixion."
Roberta Vigo
"Mexme, a disciple of Saint Martin, is said to have founded a monastery here in the mid-5th century. Around the year 1000, canons, religious men not bound to community life, replaced the monks. The church, which had become a collegiate church, was then completely rebuilt: the nave, an example of the first Romanesque art in Touraine, is preserved from this period, and inside the nave, built around 1050, elements of the first façade, including a very low-relief sculpture depicting the crucifixion. The collegiate church underwent further major renovations in the 12th and then in the 15th centuries: it then appeared as a large pilgrimage church, with a vast choir with an ambulatory and radiating chapels, decorated with paintings executed between the 11th and 15th centuries. Deconsecrated during the Revolution, the collegiate church was no longer maintained: in 1817, the collapse of the great transept bell tower led to the ruin of two-thirds of the building. The remaining parts (avant-nave, nave, and chapel to the north) were transformed into a school, used until 1982.
Since then, the building, studied and restored, has become a cultural center intended to host performances, tours, and exhibitions. It was within this framework that the abstract stained-glass windows created from cartoons by the painter Olivier Debré were installed in the avant-nave in 2006.
For a more detailed and relevant commentary, read R. Ranjard's book, La Touraine Archéologique, Joseph Floch, Printer, Publisher, Mayenne, 1968. Page 304 et seq.
This precious book can still be found among second-hand booksellers in Touraine, and probably at one of them in Chinon."
Jean-Louis Gustin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Saint-Mexme Collegiate is located in Chinon, France. The best way to reach it is typically by car, as public transport options directly to the site might be limited. Parking availability should be checked locally, especially during event days.
Information on direct public transport to Saint-Mexme Collegiate is scarce. It's advisable to check local bus routes in Chinon or consider a taxi service if you are not arriving by car.
Exploring Chinon by foot is recommended to fully appreciate the historic town and its surroundings. The collegiate itself is a central point within the town's heritage sites.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Some parts of Saint-Mexme Collegiate are accessible for free, particularly the narthex and certain ground floor areas. However, access to the most historically significant frescoes and the nave (used as a performance hall) may require a paid guided tour.
Guided tours can be expensive, with prices reported around €80 for a small group (1-20 people) and €120 for larger groups (21-35 people). Solo travelers might find this cost prohibitive.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book guided tours in advance, especially if you are traveling with a group or have specific access requirements. Availability can be limited.
Opening hours can vary significantly due to its dual function as a monument and a performance venue. It's crucial to check the official schedule for both monument access and any scheduled events.
You can explore some areas of the collegiate for free, such as the narthex. However, to see the most valuable frescoes and understand the full history, a guided tour is often necessary.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The collegiate showcases a rich history spanning 15 centuries, with elements from the 5th century (founding of the monastery), around 1000 AD (Romanesque nave), 12th and 15th centuries (major renovations), and modern additions like stained glass from 2006.
The frescoes are a major highlight, including a beautiful 15th-century Last Judgement and older 12th and 13th-century works, as well as a 12th-century Crucifixion. Their preservation and artistic merit are significant.
The nave has been transformed into a cultural center and performance hall, which means it's often closed to general visitors for historical viewing when events are scheduled.
Based on visitor feedback, there is a lack of information or signage on-site, making prior research or a guided tour essential for a comprehensive understanding.
Reviews mention poor acoustic isolation, which can be a nuisance when concerts are held, impacting the tranquility of the historic site.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no specific dining facilities mentioned within Saint-Mexme Collegiate itself. Visitors are advised to explore the numerous restaurants and cafes in the charming town of Chinon for meals and refreshments.
Chinon offers traditional French cuisine, with local specialties and wines. You'll find bistros, brasseries, and more formal restaurants to suit various tastes and budgets.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography rules can vary, especially during events. Generally, non-flash photography for personal use is often permitted in historical monuments, but it's best to check for any specific restrictions on-site or during tours.
The 15th-century Last Judgement fresco, the Romanesque nave, and the modern stained-glass windows offer excellent photographic opportunities. The exterior architecture also presents picturesque views.
Drone usage is typically restricted in historical and urban areas due to privacy and safety regulations. It's advisable to check local aviation authorities for any permits or prohibitions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's advisable to check the event schedule beforehand to avoid disruptions. Bringing a small guidebook or pre-downloading information can help make the visit more engaging for children, as on-site signage is minimal. The historical context of a former school might also be relatable for older children.
💰 Budget Travelers
To make the most of a budget visit, focus on exploring the accessible areas like the narthex and appreciate the exterior architecture. Researching the history beforehand will provide context that might otherwise be missed. Consider if the cost of a tour aligns with your overall travel budget, or if focusing on other free historical sites in Chinon might be a better alternative.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Journey Through Time: The History of Saint-Mexme Collegiate
The collegiate underwent further substantial renovations in the 12th and 15th centuries, evolving into a large pilgrimage church. During these later periods, a vast choir with an ambulatory and radiating chapels was added, adorned with paintings created between the 11th and 15th centuries. After being deconsecrated during the French Revolution, the church fell into disrepair. A significant event was the collapse of the great transept bell tower in 1817, which led to the ruin of two-thirds of the building. The remaining sections—the avant-nave, nave, and a chapel to the north—were repurposed as a school, serving this function until 1982.
Since then, the building has been the subject of study and restoration, evolving into a vibrant cultural center. It now hosts performances, tours, and exhibitions, reflecting its continued importance. A notable modern addition is the installation of abstract stained-glass windows in the avant-nave in 2006, designed from cartoons by the painter Olivier Debré. This blend of ancient architecture and contemporary art makes Saint-Mexme Collegiate a unique historical and cultural landmark.
Navigating Access: Understanding Tours and Restrictions
The cost of these guided tours can be substantial, particularly for solo travelers or small groups, with prices reported to be around €80 for 1-20 people. This has led to feedback that the 'free tour' is frustrating as the most interesting parts are inaccessible without a significant financial commitment. It's crucial for visitors to research tour availability, costs, and booking requirements well in advance of their visit. Checking the official website or contacting the venue directly is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Furthermore, the nave's transformation into a performance hall means it is frequently closed to general visitors when events are scheduled. This can limit the ability to fully appreciate the architectural scale and historical context of this central part of the church. The lack of on-site information or signage exacerbates this, making prior research or a guided tour almost essential for a comprehensive experience.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit