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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of the Holy Trinity of Coulon, originally linked to the priory dependent on the Abbey of Charroux and the diocese of Saintes, preserves some Romanesque remains like sculpted modillons on its southern wall. Major repairs of the 15th century concerned the south side and its Gothic gate, while a fire in 1569 required partial restoration in the 17th century, including the reconstruction of the bell tower around 1671. Several 18th century funeral slabs still remain today.

At the time of the Revolution, the church was converted into a barn and atelier, before being radically redesigned between 1815 and 1862 under the direction of the architects Chavanet and then Théophile Segrétain. This work focused on the renovation of the hemicycle of the choir, vaults, the structure, and the façade, giving the building its present appearance: a central nave with four arched bays, flanked by two sides. The square bell tower, with an exterior pre-box, dominates the south facade.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 11 October 1929, the church illustrates the successive architectural transformations, from its medieval origins to the restorations of the 19th century. Its current structure, marked by prominent foothills and a hemicircular bedside, reflects these different periods. The location of Coulon, in the former Poitou-Charentes region, now integrated into New Aquitaine, highlights its historical anchoring in a territory marked by varied religious and architectural influences.

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