Eglise Saint-Martin de Chablis et la Châsse de Saint-Epain

The collegiate church of Saint Martin (city centre) belonged until 1791 to a community (a "college") of canons from Tours, to whom it had been given in the 9th century. Around 1180-1200, the building was rebuilt in primitive Gothic style, on the model of the cathedral of Sens. Its beautiful south door, in the Romanesque tradition, has a cross in the tympanum, flanked by two fantastic animals. The door leaves bear rare original iron hinges, and above all more than a hundred horseshoes nailed there by the faithful invoking the protection of Martin, patron saint of horses.