Church of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière en Charente-Maritime

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière, located in the former commune of the same name, now integrated into La Motto, dates from the 12th century. It was classified as an inventory of historic monuments on 9 December 1948 and suffered major damage in 1936 when a storm caused its bell tower to collapse. The building, which was subsequently abandoned, underwent renovations between 2000 and 2005, restoring part of its original radiance.

The commune of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière, merged in 2018 with Chervettes and Vandré to form La Motto, derives its historical name from its geographical position. In the Middle Ages, it marked the border between Aunis and Saintonge, materialized by the river Motto. A fee, a sort of toll, was established to control trade between these two provinces. The name Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière then distinguished this village from the other localities dedicated to Saint Laurent, very popular in the region.

Prior to its merger, Saint-Laurent-de-la-Barrière was one of the least populated municipalities in Charente-Maritime, with only 104 inhabitants registered in 2015. This rural area, marked by a fragile demography, nevertheless retains a notable architectural heritage, including the house of the Bastière, dating from the seventeenth century and now converted into guest rooms. These elements illustrate the evolution of a medieval village into a modern municipality, while preserving the traces of its history.

External links