Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of Saint James and Saint Martin, located in Tartas, Landes, is a Catholic church built between 1849 and 1854. This architectural project of the mid-19th century is accompanied by a rich interior decoration, including a large wall decoration by the painter Louis Anselme Longa, originally from Mont-de-Marsan. The furniture is ordered from the Bordeaux workshop Bernard Jabouin, while the stained glass windows are created by the master glassmaker Joseph Villiet, also from Bordeaux. These artistic elements reflect the importance attached to the beautification of religious buildings during this period.

In 1990-1991, missing scenes from the Chapel of the Virgin were recreated, reflecting a desire to preserve and restore the heritage. The church was classified as historical monuments in 1999, recognizing its architectural and artistic value. This classification is part of a broader approach to the protection of religious buildings in the Landes, a region marked by a rich Christian heritage.

The building illustrates the collaborations between local and regional artists, such as Longa, Villiet and Jabouin, whose works help shape the church's visual identity. These artisans, active in the south-west of France, participate in a broader movement of renewal of sacred arts in the 19th century, mixing local traditions and contemporary influences. Today, the building remains a significant example of the religious architecture of that time in New Aquitaine.

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