Saint-Céneri church and the frescos

An Italian hermit called Ceneri settled in the little city in the 7th century; he died here, and a monastery and a church were raised.

Mighty lords of Giroie (who gave their name to the village, Gerei) rebuilt the current church in the end of the 11th century.

First, they built the choir and chapels (11th century), next the nave and the bell-tower (12th century).

Did you know they discovered beautiful frescos in 1856?... hidden on a thick whitewash! A man called Chadaigne, a Norman artist, restored those paintings.

The scenes represent four episode of the life of saint Ceneri.