The discovery of this 11th and 12th century building does not disappoint. It boasts the oldest rib vaults in eastern France, as well as a tympanum at the entrance, the choir and the crypt, all of which are listed as Historic Monuments. Dating from the Carolingian period, the crypt features a 16th-century Pieta and the tomb of Saint Marcellin, a martyr.
The church of Saint-Marcellin has a choir and transept dating from the second half of the 12th century and a crypt from the same period. It was damaged by the Swedes around 1630, forcing the nave to be rebuilt in 1755. In the 19th century, the building was once again remodelled by the architect Anatole de Baudot, who rebuilt the west facade but replaced the tympanum and pre-Romanesque lintel of the original portal, and added a slate spire to the Romanesque bell tower.
It is an elongated building with a nave with a single panelled nave. The choir consists of a square bay with two side chapels and a semicircular apse. The square bay is rib-vaulted using the "pointe de lorraine" system, the side chapels are covered by barrel vaults and the apse by a cul-de-four. The bell tower overlooks the square bay and is crowned by a gable roof topped by a bell tower with a polygonal slate spire. The access turret to the crypt and bell tower is set against the south side of the south chapel. It is crowned by a conical roof with tortoiseshell tiles. The crypt comprises five three-bay vessels. The interior spaces are punctuated by cylindrical and octagonal columns and are cross-vaulted. The sanctuary follows the plan of the apse above it. The western façade is preceded by a wooden porch and features a Romanesque semi-circular portal with a sculpted lintel. The sacristy is attached to the north wall of the north chapel. The gutter walls of the nave are rendered and the rest of the building is of sandstone ashlar.
Eglise Saint-Marcellin de Villars-Saint-Marcellin
