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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Christophe de Rouffignac, located in the Charente-Maritime department in New Aquitaine, is a religious building dating back to the 12th century. It was originally built on a Latin cross plan, then completely rebuilt in the 14th century. Its current architecture features a Greek cross, a rectangular apse and an octagonal bell tower erected on the cross of the transept.

Unlike other nearby churches destroyed during the religious wars, the Rouffignac church escaped destruction because it depended directly on the royal authority, not on the local lords. This royal protection allowed him to go through this troubled period without major damage. The building has been listed as historic monuments since February 27, 1925.

The church today belongs to the commune of Rouffignac. Its architectural plan, combining Romanesque and Gothic elements, reflects stylistic evolutions between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. The octagonal bell tower, typical of some regional buildings, makes it a notable example of the religious heritage of Charente-Maritime.

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