a view of the church at the heart of carennac

the porch of the church in the middle of carennac

doorway to church of saint-pierre in carennac

Eglise Saint-Pierre Church & Cloister, Carennac

Romanesque church from the 11th-century in the heart of Carennac

featured in Sights & sites

The village of Carennac grew up around a clunian priory founded in the middle of the 11th-century. This beautiful church and cloister are at the centre of the village.

The carving (tympanum) above the entrance to the church is particularly remarkable and depicts Christ in Majesty surrounded by the four Evangelists and the apostles. There are traces of polychrome paint on this sculpted piece that show it was once brilliantly coloured. It was a later edition having been created in the 12th-century along with the addition of the porch.

This wonderful church houses thirty carved capitals and has a square Romanesque bell tower that rises above the transept. Inside the church you will find a classic Benedictine abbey with a barrel-vaulted nave and two side aisles leading to the apse. Many renovations took place in the 16th-century and included the addition of smaller chapels on either side of the altar and on the north side of the aisle.

The adjoining Gothic cloister is well preserved and although simple, offers a calm and tranquil setting. You will also find a beautiful 'mise au tombeau' - tomb with sculpture decoration.

Worth knowing

A visit to the adjoining cloister (for a small fee) is certainly worth the trip.

Visitor comments

"This Romanesque church from the 12th century provides a glimpse into the early history of this lovely village. The church is well perserved and is a worthwhile visit. It is also cool on a hot day and dry on a wet one." - Trip Advisor
"Eglise Saint-Pierre, a Romanesque church of the twelfth century, is situated in the lovely town of Carennac. As stated by others, the tympanum over the main door is exquisite. It shows a mandarin of Christ surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists as well as the apostles." - Trip Advisor
"The church was the site to see here...old, old, old with tiny stained glass windows and massive columns. Classic Romanesque period, with a beautiful portal, festooned with swift nests." - Trip Advisor

When to come

Throughout the summer months of July and August the church and cloister are open daily from 09:30 to 12:30 and again from 14:00 to 18:30.

End of August to start November: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 17:30. Sunday 10:00 to 17:30
Closed during November, December, January, February & March.
April until beginning of July: Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 17:30. Sunday 14:00 to 17:30