Eglise Saint Pierre le Puellier (Saint Peter the Puellier Church), Tours
The Church of Saint Peter the Puellier, located just north of the Place Plumereau in Tours, is a site steeped in history and architectural heritage, albeit mostly in ruins today. Originally established in 512 by Clotilde, the wife of King Franc Clovis, this site once served as a collegiate church for an ancient monastery.
Throughout its history, the church underwent significant transformations. The most substantial building effort took place around 1170, culminating roughly a decade later. This construction embraced the Western Gothic architectural style, characterized by a nave flanked by side aisles, a transept, and an east-facing choir with a flat apse. It likely featured a bell tower with a spire at the transept's crossing.
During the French Revolution, the church was sold as national property and nearly destroyed. Today, only parts of it remain, including sections of a side aisle now converted into a residential dwelling. Specifically, the first and second spans of the north aisle survive, transformed into living spaces with a new floor dividing the space into two levels. One room still features its original Western Gothic vault.
Additionally, the northern wall of the second bay features two semicircular bays adorned with decorative cords, showcasing the original architectural details, whereas the bays lighting the east and south are modern additions. The visible capitals near the northeast of the building are preserved in their original state, contrasting with those to the southeast, which have been restored.
These architectural remains have been recognized as historical monuments since 1946, underscoring their cultural and historical importance despite the extensive destruction they have endured. The Church of Saint Peter the Puellier, in its current form, serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history that has shaped Tours, standing as a testament to both its medieval past and the tumultuous periods that followed.
Throughout its history, the church underwent significant transformations. The most substantial building effort took place around 1170, culminating roughly a decade later. This construction embraced the Western Gothic architectural style, characterized by a nave flanked by side aisles, a transept, and an east-facing choir with a flat apse. It likely featured a bell tower with a spire at the transept's crossing.
During the French Revolution, the church was sold as national property and nearly destroyed. Today, only parts of it remain, including sections of a side aisle now converted into a residential dwelling. Specifically, the first and second spans of the north aisle survive, transformed into living spaces with a new floor dividing the space into two levels. One room still features its original Western Gothic vault.
Additionally, the northern wall of the second bay features two semicircular bays adorned with decorative cords, showcasing the original architectural details, whereas the bays lighting the east and south are modern additions. The visible capitals near the northeast of the building are preserved in their original state, contrasting with those to the southeast, which have been restored.
These architectural remains have been recognized as historical monuments since 1946, underscoring their cultural and historical importance despite the extensive destruction they have endured. The Church of Saint Peter the Puellier, in its current form, serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history that has shaped Tours, standing as a testament to both its medieval past and the tumultuous periods that followed.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tours. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Eglise Saint Pierre le Puellier (Saint Peter the Puellier Church) on Map
Sight Name: Eglise Saint Pierre le Puellier (Saint Peter the Puellier Church)
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tours, France (See walking tours in Tours)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tours, France
Create Your Own Walk in Tours
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tours is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches
The French city of Tours is forever linked to the Battle of Tours, a pivotal event in European history. Taking place in 732 AD, this momentous encounter saw the Frankish leader Charles Martel, a devout Christian, successfully repel a substantial army of Spanish Moors, thus effectively halting the Muslim advance and ensuring the preservation of Christianity throughout Western Europe.
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Had it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tours Introduction Walking Tour
The Roman Emperor Augustus named the city Caesarodunum (Hill of Caesar). But it was always Tours. Caesar left the Tours Ampitheatre, the largest amphitheater of the Empire. It's good to be Caesar.
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tours is located on the River Loire. It stands between Orleans and the Atlantic shore. It is famous for the Battle of Tours in 732 CE when Spanish Moors led by Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi was... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tours Old Town Walk
Having successfully preserved much of its historic heritage, Tours is particularly famous for its original medieval district 鈥� Vieux Tours. The bulk of it is concentrated around three squares: Place du Grand March茅, Place Plumereau and Place de Chateauneuf.
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
A stroll through the Old Town, day or night, offers many delights, and is best started at Place Plumereau. Lined with wood-framed,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles