Saint John the Baptist Church

Built in the heart of the fortified town of Valence-sur-Baïse, this imposing church flanked by two towers dominates the square and its arcades. The religious building is composed of a single nave ending in a flat chevet. It preserves an 2th century altarpiece dedicated to "the Glory of Saint John the Baptist". Three periods mark its construction visible in the Romanesque and Gothic ribs. One of the buttresses would inform us of its construction date: 18, engraved in Roman numerals.

After the French Revolution, the building was restored but also transformed.
From 1819 to 1823, work was carried out on the vault which had collapsed since 1739.
In 1833, the municipal council and the "factory" embarked on a vast restoration program with
construction of the facade and the bell tower. The work continued in 1863 thanks to a donation from a
sum of 10 francs from a Valencian lawyer, Jean-Baptiste Duchêne, from a subscription opened by Abbé Sabatié and from the subsidy obtained from the Emperor. During the inauguration of the monumental staircase of Auch, Dominique Lussan, at the time mayor of Valence-sur-Baïse, was able to speak with the Empress, Eugénie de Montijo, a very pious woman.

What if you took the Clé des Champs?
"So far, so close..." 60 steps to climb the church. 60 steps that connect Gascony to the Pyrenees. From the top of the belvedere, the majestic mountains will be there... or not! The Pyrenees can be seen when you least expect it.
To get there, follow the direction of the city center. Parking on the village square.
The church is open during the day: enter and climb the bell tower through a small door on the left. Free visit of the belvedere overlooking the square, with a breathtaking view of the surrounding sites including the Gascon castles.

New 2025
On the north side of the church, a fitted display window allows you to discover a large Neapolitan nativity scene in winter, and the rest of the year an exhibition of cultural associations from the village.

Theme(s) : religious heritage.