Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Notre-Dame de Cunault Church, located on the former commune of Cunault (now Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault), is a masterpiece of medieval Romanesque architecture. Founded near the Loire 15 km from Saumur, it is intimately linked to the monastic history of the region, including the pilgrimages of the monks of Saint Philibert fleeing the Vikings in the 9th century. Its 11th century bell tower, integrated with Romanesque reconstruction, bears witness to its seniority, while its nave combining Romanesque and Gothic styles Angelvin reflects construction campaigns dating from the 1100s to the 13th century.

The monastery is traditionally attributed to Saint Maxenceul, disciple of St Martin de Tours, from the fourth century. In 845, Count Vivien de Tours offered the site to the monks of Saint Philibert, who temporarily installed the saint's relics between 858 and 862 before taking them to Tournus. After the Norman incursions, the monks brought back the relics of Saint Maxenceul to Cunault, where the priory enjoyed the support of the lords of Anjou such as Foulque Nerra and Foulque IV le Rechin. The church, rebuilt from the 12th century onwards, houses prestigious relics such as the ring of the Virgin and a flask of her milk, attracting many pilgrims.

In the 15th century, the church was fortified during the Hundred Years' War, as evidenced by the niches and defensive towers of its western facade. The priory, placed under beginning from the 14th century, gradually declines: it is looted by the Huguenots in 1562, who throw the shawl of Saint Maxenceul into the Loire (refined miraculously). In 1741, the priory was abolished, and the church, partially desecrated, became parish in 1754 after the destruction of the former church of St.Maxenceul by a hurricane.

The French Revolution marked a turning point: the church was sold as a national good in 1789, and its choir, transformed into a barn, was described in 1840 by Prosper Mérimée as "in a pitiful state", serving as a fagot-remission. Ranked a historic monument in 1846, it was bought by the department and restored for thirty years under the direction of Charles Joly-Leterme. In the 20th century, its bell tower welcomed the bells of the Cathedral of Constantine (Algeria), and an organ was installed there in 1977, perpetuating its cultural and religious vocation.

The architecture of Notre-Dame de Cunault is distinguished by its very bright triple nave, its absence of transept, and a bedside originally equipped with a destroyed axial chapel. The 11th century Romanesque bell tower, integrated with the northern collateral, is decorated with carved capitals representing the Annunciation and Tentation. Inside, 223 capitals, including some fifteen historical ones, and 15th century murals (such as the Transfiguration or a Saint Christophe) illustrate its rich decor, despite the degradations suffered over the centuries.

Among the treasures preserved are a 13th century Gothic shawl (formerly attributed to St Maxenceul), a 12th century red marble baptismal tank, and a 16th century Pietà. The church, still active culturally, is also a place of concerts thanks to its organ of Jean-Loup Boisseau. Its solar orientation, where the sun of the summer solstice crosses the nave to illuminate the choir, highlights the know-how of medieval builders.

External links