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Origin and history

The Saint-Maurice church of Saint-Maurice-de-Tavernole is a small rural church dating back to the 12th century. According to local tradition, it was destroyed during the Hundred Years' War or the Wars of Religion, then replaced by the chapel of the nearby castle, which became parish. Traces of its turbulent history include sarcophagi discovered in 2001 during restoration work, reflecting an ancient occupation of the site.

The last restoration campaign, carried out in 2001, revealed these sarcophagi, some of which were moved to Fontaines-d'Ozillac. The walls were lit, revealing an apparent 17th century structure, with an inscription engraved on the entrance: "This TEMPLE HAS ESTE, DONE IN THE YEAR 1604 (or 1609)". This period probably marks its reconstruction after the religious conflicts or the Hundred Years War.

In 2002, the church enjoyed a bold contemporary decor, with stained glass windows and modern murals, contrasting with its medieval architecture. This artistic choice reflects a desire to revitalize this rural heritage, while preserving its historical character. The church remains a symbol of the disappeared commune of Saint-Maurice-de-Tavernole, integrated since 2016 in Réaux-sur-Trèfle in New Aquitaine.

The toponym Saint-Maurice-de-Tavernole originated in the patronage of Saint Maurice, associated with the Latin tabernulas ("small taverns"), with the suffix occitan -ola. This etymology evokes a history of stopping places or gathering places, typical of rural areas of the South-West. Today, the church embodies this past, between medieval memory and artistic modernity.

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