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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Denis de Pontigné Church is a Catholic building located in the village of Pontigné, in the commune of Baugé-en-Anjou, in the department of Maine-et-Loire. It is distinguished by its bell tower, a rare architectural peculiarity, and was classified as historical monuments in 1862, reflecting its early heritage importance. Its origins date back to the 11th century for the base of the nave, with major additions in the 12th and 13th centuries, including the cross, the transept and the reconstructed choir.

The present structure of the church is the result of several construction and restoration campaigns. The nave, originally built in the 11th century, was resumed in the late 12th century, while the choir, destroyed and rebuilt in the 13th century, houses murals dating from the mid 13th and 15th centuries. A altar-table was added in 1708 to support the vault of the choir. Restorations also took place during the second half of the 19th century, consolidating the building.

The church's murals, studied by experts such as Marc Thibout and Jean-Yves Hunot, are a remarkable artistic heritage. These works, dated from the 13th and 15th centuries, offer an overview of the religious and artistic practices of the medieval period in Anjou. The building was the subject of extensive studies, notably during the Archaeological Congress of France in 1964 and 2021, highlighting its role in the architectural and religious history of the region.

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