Eglise Saint-Nicolas

The foundation of the village of Signy dates back to the year 1217. The religious building was burnt down in 1636 by the Spaniards. The church was rebuilt in 1680 following the Spanish incursions, as evidenced by three dates: 1680, in wrought iron anchors on the tower; 1684, on the keystone of the first span of the nave; 1686, on the bretèche (discreet defensive balcony) at the chevet. It has a Latin cross plan, 36 metres long, 10.66 metres wide and 12 metres high under the vault, without side aisles. The enormous walls - 3 metres thick at the base of the tower, one metre thick at the nave and transept - are made of quartz schist, except for the openings whose right feet are made of Bossus limestone. Defensive elements are still visible: a machicolation, blocked, above the portal; two watchtowers (projecting turrets) ten metres above the ground on the porch-tower, supported by beautifully moulded white stone bases; two small watchtowers at each end of the transept; traces of bretèches above bays. Note the beautiful finely brick cornices. Houses on the square were also rebuilt during this period, as shown by the vintages displayed: 1666, 1675..

DATAtourisme France