Saint-Martin Church (Église Saint-Martin)
About Saint-Martin Church (Église Saint-Martin)
The Église Saint-Martin in Argentan is a Gothic-Renaissance church built between 1450 and 1663, taking over two centuries to complete. The structure is remarkable for being built on wooden piles driven into the marshy ground of medieval Argentan. Inside, visitors can admire 16th-century stained glass windows depicting Gospel scenes and the Death of Saint Martin, ranked among Normandy's finest. The church houses a 17th-century baroque altarpiece, a grand organ with exceptional acoustics, and a liturgical comb attributed to Thomas Becket. The octagonal bell tower with its openwork spire now contains a small museum. While the Battle of Argentan in August 1944 destroyed over half of the original stained glass, the surviving windows remain spectacular. Entry is free, and the parish office can provide information about visiting hours.
Interesting Facts
The church was designed by Jacques I Gabriel (1568-1608), a master mason from Argentan who founded a dynasty of architects. His descendants became some of France's most celebrated architects, with Ange-Jacques Gabriel later designing the Petit Trianon at Versailles and the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
The liturgical comb housed in the church is attributed to Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in 1170. Becket had strong Norman ties - his father was from Rouen and his mother from Caen - which explains how this relic came to be preserved in Normandy.
In November 2023, Storm Ciarán damaged two of the church's pinnacles, demonstrating the ongoing vulnerability of this 500-year-old structure. The storm, one of the most powerful to hit France in decades, caused damage across Normandy but the church's main structure remained intact.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Rue Saint-Martin, 61200 Argentan, France
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