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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-d'Or church, classified as a Historic Monument, is distinguished by an architecture combining two epochs. The nave, modern, contrasts with the two spans of the choir, partially built in the 12th and 14th centuries. The latter houses capitals richly decorated with animal and plant motifs, as well as bases decorated with waudrons and saw teeth. The arch keys, in hollow quadrilobes, represent the blessed Christ and the Lamb, testimonies of medieval religious art. A 14th century liturgical pool completes this remarkable ensemble, highlighting the cultural importance of the place throughout the centuries.

The protected elements of the building, namely the two spans of the choir and the engaged column pilasters, were classified by ministerial decree on June 24, 1942. These protections highlight unique architectural details, such as the capital dorets placed between the choir and the nave. The location of the church, in the village of La Grimaudière (formerly in Poitou-Charentes, today Nouvelle-Aquitaine), is attested by precise coordinates, although its exact address is subject to slight variations according to the sources (86110 or 86330).

The building, owned by the commune, illustrates the evolution of Romanesque and Gothic styles in an area marked by a dense religious heritage. Although the sources do not specify its current use (cult, visits, or otherwise), its ranking and artistic characteristics make it a privileged witness to local history. The carved decorations, especially the symbolic representations of the arch keys, reflect the beliefs and crafts of the period, while the 14th century swimming pool recalls medieval liturgical practices.

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