The Saint-Michel church is located at Castelnau-Pégayrols, in Aveyron, 18 km northwest of Millau.
It dates from the eleventh century and was built at the request of the lord of Castelnau, whose wife, daughter of Viscount Millau, had two brothers entered religion at the Abbey of Saint-Victor de Marseille.
The church of Saint-Michel served the priory which adjoined it, all dependent on the Abbey of Marseilles under the order of the Benedictines.
The building is Romanesque, and has a robust appearance or austere. Its generous proportions and height are accompanied by a high brightness inside. The church is thus typical of monastic churches.
Under the choir, a crypt filled time was reopened in the late nineteenth century. It houses a source that has given rise to legends.
The buildings of the former priory have been converted into a presbytery but it is observed that from the rostrum of the church, one could access the former home of the prior.
On the lintel of the church portal, a carved inscription pays homage to the builder. In addition, the arms of the lord of Castelnau are engraved at the level of a chapel, under the platform.
The whole is protected as historical monuments since 1920.
The Saint-Michel church became a parish church from the beginning of the 16th century.
Its excellent acoustics can accommodate concerts in summer.
Free visit all year and guided tour as part of a discovery of the medieval village of Castelnau Monday to Friday at 11am and 17h in July August (price: 4.50 euros) and by reservation in April, May, June, September and October (price: 3.50 euros). Information on +33 5 65 62 05 05.
