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Church Saint-Jean

Monument in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne

The Saint-Jean church is located in the commune of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, in the Charente department, 17 km northwest of Ribérac.

This is a troglodyte church which was dug into a cliff in the 12th century by Pierre de Castillon, viscount of Aubeterre. It was once connected to the castle of the lords of the city by a corridor which is now blocked.

Invisible from the outside, the place of worship required significant work: 9000 m³ of stone had to be extracted over a period of twenty years.

At the level of the apse, a hexagonal reliquary is placed, evoking the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, six meters high, carved from a single block of stone.

Moreover, according to historians, the places refer to the troglodyte places of worship in Cappadocia discovered by the crusaders after the year 1000.

Access to the gallery is via a staircase dug into the rock, made up of 80 steps, which offers a view 18 m high. Three bays light the sanctuary.

Also accessible are a pit where a Greek cross is planted and an earlier necropolis (9th century) housing medieval sarcophagi and rock tombs.

Under the choir of the church, a crypt was unearthed in the 1960s. It was reserved for the canons. A long corridor decorated with arcades leads to the apse where there is an altar and two seats carved into the wall.

A very popular place of pilgrimage on the Way of Saint-Jacques, the underground church, listed in the Inventory, reveals itself to be the spectacular jewel of the commune's heritage, which is among the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

Open every day except December 25 and January 1. Tour with audio guide. Price: 3 to 8 euros. Information on +33 5 45 98 65 06.

Opening timesMonday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM   •   Tuesday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM   •   Wednesday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM   •   Thursday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM   •   Friday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM   •   Saturday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM   •   Sunday: 09:30 AM – 12:00 AM, 02:00 PM – 05:15 PM
Address18 Rue Saint Jean, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Telephone+33 5 45 98 65 06
Official siteeglisesouterraineaubeterre.fr

Other monuments nearby

Castle of AubeterreAubeterre-sur-Dronne
Castle of BonnesBonnes (4 km)
Castle of La MotheSaint Privat en Périgord (5.1 km)
Castle of CumondSaint Privat en Périgord (5.9 km)
Church Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens de CumondSaint Privat en Périgord (5.9 km)
Church Saint-PrivatSaint Privat en Périgord (6.2 km)
Church Notre-Dame de l'AssomptionBourg-du-Bost (6.8 km)
Church Saint-MartinSaint Privat en Périgord (7.5 km)

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Thursday 28 march
Min. 7°C - Max. 15°C
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Friday 29 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 12°C
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Saturday 30 march
Min. 7°C - Max. 14°C
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