Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille - Saint Chaffre

Legends tell, that a small community of hermits lived here in the 6th century. A century later the group was led by (Saint) Eudes and after him by Eudes´ nephew (Saint) Theofrede. Theofrede got killed by the locals - and so he became a martyr named Saint Chaffre.

The monastery adopted the Benedictine rule in 817 and found support from Louis the Pious. In the following two centuries three churches were erected here. All collapsed due to the unstable ground. The current, former abbey church was built from 1074 on.

The monastery (and the relics of Saint Chaffre) were just a day´s walk from Le Puy, where the Via Podiensis started and many pilgrims gathered. It may well be, that the wealthiness of the abbey, was related to the pilgrim-business.

The former abbey church has a polychrome facade with a unique frieze (under the roof). Integrated into the walls are some smaller carvings.

In the center, above the two (flower) circles is a demon or devil (?) with the head of a cat (?) sucking its tail.