Mid-12th-century building comprising a nave with transept, ending in an apse and two apsidioles forming a chapel.
High gables, typical of Auvergne-influenced churches in this region, rise in front of the transept and apse.
The stone spire at the top of the bell tower was destroyed at the end of the 18th century. Built in the Auvergne Romanesque style, the building has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1850. It is the only remaining vestige of the village of Cognat, which was razed to the ground during the Wars of Religion.
A neo-Gothic chapel adjoining the church, built by the Reclesne-Montlaur family, houses some thirty graves. It is fully decorated and an expiatory altar was installed in 1856.
The church stands on the site of a major battle between Catholics and Protestants on January 6, 1568. On the summit of the hill, a memorial recounts the battle, with a touch of humor: "It was in winter that Catholics and Protestants killed each other, on this hill, on January 6, 1568. The Protestant army was victorious, but its leader, Captain Poncenat, was mistakenly killed by his own troops the evening after the battle"...
Nearby: an orientation table and analogue sundial where you can read the time by positioning yourself on it. The person's shadow indicates the time in relation to the sun.
Panoramic view of Forez and the puys chain of Auvergne volcanoes.
Closed temporarily.
