Saint-Antoine’s artistic touches

Don’t let the size of Saint-Antoine-Pont-d’Arratz fool you. This dimunitive village on the northern edge of the Gers department may consist of only a few blocks, but charming artistic touches make it worth a brief visit. 

A statue of Antoine Le Grand (251-356) sits in the
town that bears his name: Saint-Antoine-Pont-d’Arratz.

We have no trouble finding a place to park just across from le Ancien Hospice des Antonins, the former hospital that dates from the 12th century. Attached to the hospital is a large square tower and gate that serves as the entrance to the village. 

Visitors enter Saint-Antoine through this ancient gate.

The pretty street contains a few shops and a café as well as the 15th-century church, which was built by the order of the Antonines to host the pilgrims going to Saint Jacques de Compostela.

The main rue in Saint-Antoine

L’Église Saint-Antoine

In 2006, murals were discovered on the walls of the church and are undergoing careful restoration. The church’s bright, colorful interior is a refreshing revelation with touches of Spanish and Arab influence among the Romaneque arches. (For more about the church of Saint-Antoine and its murals, visit the “In Situ. Revue des patrimoines” website here.)

Colorful interior of l’Église Saint-Antoine

Murals from the 15th century were discovered inside
Église de Saint-Antoine in 2006. The paintings depict the
life of Saint Blaise.

Looking up inside l’Église Saint-Antoine

We walk to the end of the main street and are surprised by the modern sculpture atop an ancient well. It is just one of the modern art touches contained in Saint-Antoine. A bull overlooks an outdoor basketball court and a stone relief sculpture honors pilgrims of the Santiago-de-Compestella who pass through Saint-Antoine. Even the bright red statue of Antoine Le Grand is a sensory delight.

An old well with a modern twist in Saint-Antoine

Un taureau watches over the basketball courts in Saint-Antoine.

Stone relief sculpture honors Santiago-de-Compestella pilgrims in Saint-Antoine.

With its mixture of medieval charm and modern surprises, we are happy we included Saint-Antoine in our exploration of the villages just beyond the borders of the Lot-et-Garonne.

A doorway with character in Saint-Antoine

Cute sign over Saint-Antoine’s honey shop

A more traditional symbol outside le cimetière in
Saint-Antoine