Chapel "Notre Dame du Château"

Romanesque-style castle chapel. Year of construction: 12th century. Classified as a historical monument in 1921.
Perched atop a basalt rock overlooking the village of Saignes, the Notre-Dame du Château chapel is an iconic remnant of the town's medieval castle. The only nearly intact element of the former fortified castle, it bears witness to a rich historical past and offers breathtaking views of the Sumène valley and the surrounding landscape.

The building is constructed of volcanic tuff ashlar. It has a two-bay nave and a pointed barrel vault. The apse is semicircular, vaulted in a semi-dome, and topped with a rounded hipped roof. Six buttresses support the walls, and sculpted corbels, including stylized heads, can be seen on some of the facades. The west portal, restored in the 19th century, features a decorated archivolt, sculpted columns, and a small oculus. A small bell tower, housing a bell, crowns the chapel.

Visits and access: Visits are only permitted during guided tours.