Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The priory of Saint-Xantin, also known as the former presbytery of Malemort, came into being in the 9th century when the relics of Saint-Xantin, bishop of Meaux, were transferred there. This place of worship then became a major religious site in the region. Today, it consists of two distinct buildings: one dating from the 13th century, the other from the 14th century, the latter being contiguous to the church of St Sanctin and home to earlier medieval cellars.

In 1610 the priory was entrusted to the Doctrinary Fathers of Brive, who undertook significant changes. These changes marked an architectural and functional evolution of the site, while preserving its medieval structure. It was officially listed as a Historic Monument on 1 February 1996, recognizing its exceptional heritage value.

Since 2001, the town hall of Malemort – owner of the premises – has undertaken safeguard work to preserve this heritage. The priory thus illustrates almost a millennium of religious and architectural history in Limousin, between medieval heritage and modern transformations. Its classification protects both buildings (Box BI 16) and the soil of adjacent plots (Box BI 15, 16).

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