| I
                                cycled to Songeson up the steep
                                climb from the valley floor at
                                Doucier. I was rewarded with
                                stunning views from a lookout
                                point over the lakes at the foot
                                of the Cascades de Herrisson.  St George
                                stands on a high point above the
                                village street. At first sight,
                                it is a typical cruciform church
                                of the area, but it is actually
                                of some significance.  
                                The restoration of
                                1780 was a light one, and much of
                                what you see dates from the
                                mid-16th century. Most striking
                                from the outside is the stone
                                pamment roof, typical of older
                                agricultural buildings in the
                                area but so so often replaced by
                                tiles on churches. The pamments
                                here survived the fire of 1833,
                                and the collapse of the original
                                cloche. 
                                The bell tower had
                                been added at the end of the 18th
                                century in three stages, with an
                                open porch beneath. Presumably
                                the font appeared at the same
                                time; it follows the local
                                fashion by being built into the
                                north wall, with an image of the
                                baptism of Christ above. In front
                                of it stands an alms box carved
                                from a single trunk of wood. 
                                The painting in the
                                sanctuary of St George killing
                                the dragon is an odd one. The
                                dragon is a wicked thing,
                                malevolent and intent on murder.
                                Quite different from the vapid
                                imagery that surrounds the
                                Saint's role as England's patron.
                                The painting is signed Vandel
                                de St Cloud 1852. 
                                Outside the church,
                                on the south side of the later
                                sacristy, there is a lintel which
                                reads: Hoc factum est cura D
                                Mannin ('this was built by
                                the Priest D Mannin'). 
                                Saint- George,
                                Songeson, is in the middle of its
                                village which is on the D39 road
                                between Doucier and le Frasnois.
                                It is a Monument Nationale,
                                and appears to be kept open. 
                                 |