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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame de la Nativity de Monsec, located in Mareuil in Périgord (Dordogne), was built in a single building at the beginning of the sixteenth century, from 1508. Its plan adopts a rectangular structure divided into three spans: the two ends, almost square, frame a shorter central span, supporting the bell tower. The windows, flamboyant Gothic style, are geminated with high-rise splinters and decors. The roof, designed for defense, has a series of niches, reminiscent of the troubles of the time.

The bell tower, partially redesigned on its north and south faces, nevertheless retains most of its original provisions. The building, inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 9 June 1925, preserved its architectural integrity apart from this localized restoration. The simplicity of its plan and its defensive elements illustrate the concerns of the rural communities of the Périgord after the Middle Ages, between piety and the need for protection.

The village of Mareuil in Périgord (code Insee 24253), the church stands in the Bourg, in the hamlet of Monsec. Its heritage inscription underscores its historical and architectural interest, typical of the perigordine religious constructions of the Renaissance. Available sources, such as the Merimée and Monumentum base, confirm its status as a building representative of this period between Gothic and Renaissance.

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