In the heart of the Berry, just 10 minutes from Bourges, stands in front of you the Abbatiale Saint-Martin de Plaimpied. An essential stop for all Roman art enthusiasts, it was founded by Richard II, Archbishop of Bourges.
Construction began in the crypt around 1080 and ended around 1200 with the nave. Many canons who were subject to the rules of Saint Augustine then settled around the latter and did what could be considered nowadays as a place where future priests were trained, under the aegis of the diocese of Bourges. The whole is remarkable, but it is mainly to its capitals that the Abbatiale owes its notoriety today. Enjoying a commented visit is still the best way to understand by whom and why these capitals are so admirable.
Beyond an initiatory path proposed to novice canons, we can recognize many more or less rare representations such as monkeys, a mermaid, an owl, lions…
But the most beautiful of them is undoubtedly the tent of temptation. Surprising by its finesse and its drapes of excellent workmanship, it is alone one of the jewels of Roman Art. We owe it to an artist who displayed his talent in places like the Saint-Ruf Abbey in Avignon, or in the basilicas of Vezelay or Nazareth.
The crypt, in very good condition of preservation, is also freely accessible, which is quite rare in the region. One can guess on the arches of old painted decorations and especially a swastika.