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Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Eulalie de Cauzac, located in the Lot-et-Garonne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, finds its origins in the 12th century. It was built from an older 11th century sanctuary, as evidenced by the remains of its semicircular apse. This first Romanesque building already marked the local religious landscape, integrated into the valley of the creek of Sainte-Eulalie, near the castle of Cauzac.

In the 15th century, the nave of the church was vaulted with ivy- and third-party arches, adding a late Gothic dimension to the original structure. These architectural transformations reflect the stylistic evolutions of the time, while meeting liturgical and community needs. However, the building suffered damage during the wars of Religion, a period of violent conflict between Catholics and Protestants that marked the south-west of France for a long time.

In 1595, Nicolas de Villars, during his visit, found that the church was "fairly complete", suggesting a relative resistance to disturbances. The 1681 minutes, prepared by Bishop Jules Mascaron, confirm Saint Eulalie as patron saint of the parish, while mentioning Saint Orens as the first titular. This duality of patronage, celebrated on May 1 (the feast of Saint Orens), illustrates the historical and religious strata of the place. The church was rebuilt in the 17th century, then its vaults restored in 1870, before being listed as historical monuments in 2000.

The building today consists of a three-span nave, a vaulted lower side and a semicircular apse, testimonies of the different construction periods. Its designation as historic monuments in 2000 highlights its heritage value, both architectural and historical, for the municipality of Cauzac and the region.

The available sources, including Georges Tholin's (1874) works, evoke his architecture as representative of medieval and modern Agenas. The church remains an active place of worship, anchored in the local religious landscape, while attracting the attention of heritage lovers for its mix of styles and its turbulent history.

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