First written entry 934 (≈ 934)
First text evoking the chapel.
XIIIe–XIVe siècle
Current construction
Current construction XIIIe–XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Period of construction of the medieval building.
1614
First cemetery certified
First cemetery certified 1614 (≈ 1614)
Development of a cemetery around the chapel.
XIXe siècle
Partial destruction
Partial destruction XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Reduction of the chapel to 7 meters.
1879
Archaeological excavations
Archaeological excavations 1879 (≈ 1879)
Discovery of Gallo-Roman and Carolingian remains.
7 juin 1993
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 7 juin 1993 (≈ 1993)
Protection for his seniority and rarity.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Chapelle (Box A 686): inscription by order of 7 June 1993
Key figures
Camille de la Croix - Archaeologist
Conducted excavations in 1879.
Origin and history
The Notre-Dame de Monvinard chapel, located in Nouaillé-Maupertuis, is a religious building built between the 13th and 14th centuries. It stands at the place called Mont Vinard, overlooking the Miosson Valley, a name probably linked to the ancient vine culture. Its strategic location and history dating back to previous occupations make it an emblematic site of the region.
The first written records of the chapel date from 934, revealing a much older origin. Excavations conducted in 1879 by Father Camille de la Croix revealed the remains of a Gallo-Roman temple of the fanum type and an earlier Christian chapel, probably Carolingian. These findings confirm a continuing religious occupation of the site since ancient times.
The current medieval building was partially destroyed in the 19th century, reducing its length to only 7 metres. A cemetery developed around 1614, before the chapel was abandoned. Ranked a historic monument in 1993 for its long-standing and rare architectural character, it now houses in the communal cemetery and is only accessible on the occasion of events such as Heritage Days.
Originally, the chapel housed a 17th century terracotta Pietà, now preserved in the church of Saint-Junien for reasons of preservation. Despite its current state of deterioration, the municipality is considering its restoration to safeguard this historic heritage, mixing Gallo-Roman, Carolingian and medieval heritage.
