Collegiate church of Saint Barnard

This monastery founded in 838 by Barnard, archbishop of Vienne, is at the origin of the city of Romans. Marriage of Romanesque and Gothic style, it houses a pure jewel: the Nine embroidered hangings representing the Passion of Christ (visit in season and on a guided tour)
Transformed into a collegiate church around 935, the church was several times destroyed and rebuilt during the medieval period. Its classification as a Historic Monument in 1840 testifies to its importance in terms of history and art history.

Western facade
The western entrance of the church is decorated with Romanesque sculptures of southern inspiration that represent apostles. To the right of the entrance, one thus recognizes Saint John with
a book at his feet. On the left, one can guess the word 'PETRUS' on a phylactery: it is about Saint Peter. The other sculptures could
represent Saint Paul and Saint James the Greater. The four characters are surrounded by lions, colonnettes and capitals with rich vegetal decoration evoking antiquity.
Mutilated during the French Revolution, the ensemble was also completely overhauled at an undetermined time.

Nef
The nave is composed of elements from several eras. Dating from the 11th century, the lower parts are the oldest of the building. The nave is raised in the 13th century
century, embellished with a triforium (high gallery) and covered with an ogive cross vault.
Triforium and the vaults, destroyed in 1567 during the Wars of Religion, are rebuilt identically at the end of the following century.
On the north side, we notice historiated capitals from the Romanesque era representing biblical scenes (Visitation, last judgment) and fantastic animals.
On both sides of the nave, chapels were founded and decorated between the 15th and 19th centuries.
The large sacristy serves as a setting for superb 18th century walnut woodwork and many sacred art objects.
On the organ gallery built in 1720, there is an organ signed by Facteur Chambry* and installed in 1843. It is undoubtedly the 4th or 5th organ successively present in the building.
Above the organ, stained-glass windows installed in 2000, designed by the artist Georg Ettl and created by the Thomas workshops deliver a modern vision of the Apocalypse of Saint John.
*An organ builder is a craftsman specialized in making organs

Choir and transept
The choir and transept are erected from 1238 in a Gothic style, by decision of Jean de Bernin, archbishop of Vienne, known for his action as a builder. The decor
exceptional which is found today in the choir is dated from 1330-1350. It was indeed on this date that the Dauphin Humbert II, also a canon of Saint-Barnard, ceded the Dauphiné to the crown of France, during a ceremony held in Romans in 1349. In this teeming decor, we indeed recognize fleurs-de-lis and crowned figures but also angels on a crenellated walkway and vegetal and geometric patterns.
In the two arms of the transept, many traces of paint come from decorations made successively from the 13th to the 19th century


Temporary exhibitions and concerts take place several times a year in this building.
Possibilities of guided tours for groups or individuals.
In summer: exceptional opening of the sacristy and the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament (to see the hangings) from Tuesday to Friday as well as on Sundays!