The church that survived the fire

Welcome to the Église Saint-Austremoine in Issoire, Auvergne, France. Built during the early 12th century, specifically around 1130, this church is a Romanesque treasure that has survived many trials and tribulations over the centuries. Recognized as a heritage site, it became a National Monument in 1840. It is named after Aurémon, the first bishop of Clermont. One of the most significant events that the church endured was the attack by Captain Matthieu Merle in 1575.

Merle tried and failed to burn the church, and in frustration, he had three monks flogged. Today, visitors can marvel at the church's stunning interior polychromy, which was restored in 1857-1859. However, tragedy struck again in July 2016 when a fire occurred in the church. The fire, quickly controlled, was of criminal origin. Despite this setback, much of the church's original Romanesque architecture remains, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the history and architecture of France.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons