LES VITRAUX DE L'ÉGLISE SAINT MICHEL

The parish church of Saint-Michel de Bonaguil was built in the 13th century like the castle keep. Only three meters of wall height remain from this period at the base of the nave. And just like the castle of Bonaguil, the major part of the religious building, of late Gothic style, goes back to the time of Bérenger de Roquefeuille (1448-1530), whose chapel Sainte-Barbe (on the left while entering) shelters the burial. Classified as a historical monument in 1963, this church of Saint-Michel underwent major renovations between 2010 and 2014.

But what will first enchant you when you enter the church, are its recently installed stained glass windows (2014) with a contemporary singularity assumed. They diffuse a sumptuous pink light, soft and bewitching. They are the work of François Rouan, an internationally renowned visual artist - he notably created the sketches for the stained glass windows of Nevers cathedral - and were made in the famous Simon-Marq workshops, master glassmakers in Reims since 1640, known for having created stained glass windows by Chagall, Braque and Miró. The enveloping pinkish colour is the result of a projection of gold oxide on the blown glass. On these monochrome stained glass windows run intriguing, yet soothing designs: curves, scrolls and foliage. A very beautiful work, with a contemporary bias, which marries perfectly with the mysticism of the place.