LA CRYPTE DE L'EGLISE SAINT PIERRE

Description

Built between 1045 and 1050, the Crypt of the Church of Saint Pierre in Remiremont is one of the oldest Romanesque religious monuments in the Vosges. It comprises 3 chapels and has been listed as a historic monument since 1983.

The north chapel, known as the Saint-Antoine chapel (13th-century chapel), features 15th-century wall paintings. In addition to Saint Anthony himself, they depict the Crucifixion, Saint Laurent, Saint Brice and Saint Martin, bishops of Tours, among others. The chapel houses a different sarcophagus used by the Chanoinesses, which comes from the former Remiremont and Saint-Mont cemeteries.

The crypt, built of sandstone rubble, occupies almost the entire surface of the choir of the upper church. It comprises a central chapel punctuated by eight columns and three five-bay long vessels, lit by five small semi-circular bays. It is flanked by two side chapels. The ensemble is completed by three semicircular apses.

In 2002, some exceptional 14th-century frescoes were discovered in the south chapel: a paschal lamb, the Magi, the Emmaus pilgrims and Saint Christopher. This chapel also houses a number of treasures that were used during the "shaking procession": crowns made of gilt and precious stones, a monstrance and a chalice.

The other two chapels are open to the public.

Please note The south chapel is only open during guided tours organised by the Tourist Office. Dates are available in the diary.