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Origin and history

The Priory of Notre-Dame de Redon-Espic, located in the Dordogne department, was a Benedictine priory founded in the 12th century. Although the archives are missing on its exact foundation, archaeological excavations in 2006 allowed to date the church of the last quarter of the 12th century. His architecture, especially the triplet at bedside, suggested a possible Grandmontan origin, while other sources evoke a priory of women, perhaps linked to Marie de Beynac, a religious in Fontevrault, although this hypothesis remains uncertain.

The priory was first mentioned in 1327 among the possessions of the bishopric of Sarlat, shortly after its creation. In the 18th century, the buildings were in ruins, and the church, in poor condition, was described as such in 1722 by Antoine Saintclar, Dean of Sarlat and Prior of Redon-Espic. No trace of sale was found during the Revolution. In the 19th century, the site belonged to the Chabanne family, and the church, a communal property, served as a sheepfold before being restored in 2007, then its roof in 2017.

The church, with a single nave and covered with lauzes, is a pure example of 12th century monastic architecture, never revamped. Only remains of the convent buildings remain. Ranked a historic monument in 1999, it illustrates the religious and architectural heritage of the Périgord. The archives of the abbey and the bishopric of Sarlat, though fragmentary, offer tracks on its history, including its connection to the office of claustral prior of the Cathedral of Sarlat in the 14th century.

Several hypotheses persist on its origins, including a link with Fontevrault Abbey in the 15th century, although the papal bubbles of 1153 and 1170 did not mention it. Historical research, such as that of Abbé Pierre Lespine or d'Évelyne Bermond-Picot, underlines its importance in the local heritage, despite the documentary gaps. Today, the site is protected and enhanced by the municipality and local associations.

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