Chaumont - Basilique Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Chaumont (pop. ~ 22.000) is located in the centre of Haute Marne.

Peasants and artisans settled around an early existing fortified motte and so started the development of Chaumont, owned since the 12th century by the Counts of Champagne.

-
"Saint-Jean-Baptiste" was built at the beginning of the 13th century to meet the needs of a growing population. It was made a collegiate church in 1474 by Pope Sixtus IV and raised to "basilica minor" in 1948 by Pope Pius XII.

-The "Tree of Jesse" was carved 1530/40. The limestone sculpture is 4,50m high and (at the base) 3,20m wide. Jesse sitting in the centre is asleep. The tree is crowned with a Madonna and Child. On the first branch, on the left, sits David carrying his harp. Below him on the ground lies Goliath's enormous head.