The church in Fontaines can be seen from afar with its strong bell tower covered in glazed tiles. It houses a bell dating from 1515, which is listed as a Historic Monument.
The building, of Cistercian architecture, dates from the late 12th century. It is dedicated to Saint Just, the thirteenth archbishop of Lyon. It is itself listed.
Protected by a fortified wall, but plundered and partially burnt down in 1363, it was gradually rebuilt, emphasising its Gothic features. In the nave, a keystone bearing the date 1448 marks the end of this work.
One of the last major changes made to its architecture in 1829 was the removal of its originally flat (Cistercian) chevet, and the enlargement of the choir into an apse in the neo-Gothic style.
The church furnishings bear witness to the artistic vitality of the village of Fontaines: the statuary and baptismal font are the work of local stone sculptors (Jean Baptiste RAVET, François PROTHEAU, Antoine CHAUCHE); the pulpit dates from 1875 (RETY père et fils). There is also a 16th-century polychrome wooden Virgin Mary and two 17th-century wooden medallions.
Also of note is the old high altar, the work of Guillaume Bonnet, a master of religious sculpture from Lyon (late 19th century); a remarkable Stations of the Cross; and stained glass windows painted by Gaspard Poncet dating from 1863.
Some tombstones from the 17th and 18th centuries are also of interest.
Recent maintenance work has led to the discovery of 13th-century wall paintings under the choir vaults.
The doors are open daily from 10am to 6pm from 19 April to 30 September. An internal self-guided tour is available.

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