Montceaux l'Etoile Church 
The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Montceaux-l'Etoile, Burgundy.
West facade of Montceaux-l'Etoile Church.
Tympanum depicting the Ascension of Christ.
Detail of the Ascension of Christ and St. Peter with his key.
Detail of apostles and angels.
Angel gesturing to the Ascension on a portal capital.
Mythical creature with shield, thought to be an onocentaur.
Crossing tower and west facade window.
North side of Montceaux-l'Etoile Church.
Barrel-vaulted nave looking east to the modified apse.
Montceaux-l'Etoile in Burgundy is home to a small Romanesque church with a beautiful west portal depicting the Ascension of Christ.
History
The church of Montceaux-l'Etoile dates from the early 12th century. The vault was replaced in the 19th century and the apse was extended in the 18th century to accommodate the Baroque tomb of the local lord, but it has otherwise been left mostly unaltered.
What to See
Montceaux-l'Etoile Church is a small Romanesque church with a single barrel-vaulted nave and flat west facade. The simple interior, consisting of a single nave filled cozily with pews on each side, is of little interest except for a couple fresco fragments on the walls.
The highlight of the church is the Romanesque west portal, which centers on a dynamic depiction of the Ascension of Christ (Acts 1:9-11). The tympanum and lintel were carved from a single block of limestone.
The tympanum shows Christ, triumphantly holding a cross, being borne aloft to heaven in a mandorla by two angels. Below, the Apostles and the Virgin Mary look up in amazement as two more angels point to the sky. Peter can be easily recognized among the apostles by his oversized key.
The corbels and capitals flanking the doorway are carved with dramatic scenes involving angels, demons and monsters. On the right (south) side, the capital depicts an angel pointing out the Ascension to a kneeling saint who is clutching a cloak, while the corbel depicts a siren (half-bird, half-woman) about to take flight.
On the left side, the capital is carved with a standing figure with a human upper body, fur loin cloth, and webbed or clawed feet. In a battle stance, he holds a shield in his right hand and a round object in his left. This is thought to be an onocentaur (half-man, half-donkey), who is often paired with a siren in medieval art.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Montceaux l'Etoile Church |
| Location: | Montceaux l'Etoile, Burgundy, France |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Dedication: | St. Peter and St. Paul |
| Category: | Churches |
| Architecture: | Romanesque |
| Date: | 12th century |
| Features: | Romanesque Sculpture |
| Status: | active |
| Photo gallery: | Montceaux l'Etoile Church Photo Gallery (for viewing) |
| Stock photos: | Montceaux l'Etoile Church Stock Photos (for licensing) |
| Visitor Information | |
| Coordinates: | 46.351447° N, 4.04498° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Facilities: | None |
| Parking: | Free parking available next to the church |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Montceaux l'Etoile Church. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our France Map.
Article Sources
- Personal visit (June 9, 2008).
- Peter Strafford, Romanesque Churches of France: A Traveller's Guide
(London: Giles de la Mare, 2005), 46-47.
- Montceaux-l'Etoile - art-roman.net
- Montceaux-l'Etoile - Notes romanes
- William J. Travis, "Of Sirens and Onocentaurs: A Romanesque Apocalypse at Montceaux-l'Etoile." Artibus et Historiae (2002).
- Onocentaur - The Medieval Bestiary
Last updated on August 26, 2010.
