Église Saint-Paul

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

The church was dependent on the former diocese of Saintes and on a priory of the early 11th century given to the abbey of Souvigny. The edifice was sacked several times, notably by the English during the Hundred Years War, and then during the Wars of Religion. The present church represents only a small part of the important medieval edifice. The ruined nave, with a length of 34 metres, is extended by the church. From the 11th century, there remains the entrance door whose arch is in round arch, and the south wall with five round columns with ornate capitals. The present entrance occupies the place of the old transept. Group of columns from the 13th century with foliage capitals. The first bay occupies the place of the old crossing, covered with a mutilated dome on pendentives. The north arm has been destroyed. The nave dates from the 13th century. Older vestiges are visible to the south. Flat chevet. To the north, chapel of the 14th century covered with a rib vault with liernes. On the south side, chapel adorned with damaged wall paintings.