St Urbain

Church Saint Urbain

It is on the site of a cobblers shop, among others, that St Urbain's church was built. The cobbler had a son, Jacques Pantaléon, who from priest became pope, under the name of Urbain IV. Towards 1260, Urbain IV decided to build a church dedicated to St Urbain on the site of his birth house. Completed in 1389, it was restored during the 19th century to resemble to what we see today.

Its place which has just been redesigned makes it possible to admire its superb frontage. At night, its stained glass windows are illuminated together with its gargoyles and many spires.

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Amongst other things, St Urbain is famous for its gargoyles which show passers-by a sow giving milk to its litter, a knight attacked by a panther, a street musician and his violin, a monk sitting hands on knees, and a multitude of animals; horse, goat, dog, cat and even a crocodile...

Under the main portal, one can notice a head of devil, and its matching companion, according to the builders of the time, the head of a black man !

The steeple of Saint Urbain, before its destruction in 1762, the highest in town according to the historian Gustave Carré.


	Virgin with child 15th century.	Virgin "with grape", end of 15th century.