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Origin and history

The Saint-Étienne-de-la-Cité church, also known as the former Saint-Étienne Cathedral, is the first Catholic cathedral in Périgueux, built on the remains of a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Mars. Its construction begins in the 11th century with the western span and ends in the 12th century with the choir. In Romanesque style, it was listed as a historical monument in 1840. At its peak, it had four domes and a bell tower, but suffered major destruction in 1577 during the Wars of Religion, losing two spans and its bell tower, restored in 1620.

In 1669, the episcopal seat was transferred to Saint-Front Church, reducing Saint-Étienne to the rank of parish church. The 17th and 18th centuries saw restoration campaigns, especially after the damage of the Fronde in 1652. A major restoration was carried out in 1907 by Henri Rapine, replacing the tile cover with stone. Between 2010 and 2020, external and internal works (walls, vaults, stained glass) are carried out at a total cost of €2.8 million.

The building now retains an original Romanesque span and two of the four original domes, one of which is 15 metres in diameter. It is home to remarkable elements: the tomb of Bishop Jean d'Asside (XII century), a 17th century altarpiece in oak and walnut, two organs (including a baroque by Marin Carouge, 1731), a 17th century pulpit, and a cross path by J.-J. Giraud. These riches bear witness to its historical and artistic importance.

The organ of Carouge, originally installed in Saint-Front, was dismantled in 1870 and acquired by Saint-Étienne around 1885. It was restored several times (1904, 1972-1977, 1990-1993), and is now classified as a historical monument, as is its buffet (1976). The retable of the Jesuit College, placed in the church between 1882 and 1973, has since been transferred to Saint-Front.

Archaeological excavations and studies, such as those conducted by Michel Legendre in 1948, revealed details of his evolution, including the repairs of the domes in the 17th and 18th centuries. Historical sources, including works by the Marquis de Fayolle (1927-1929) and Canon Joseph Roux, document its central role in the religious and architectural history of the Périgord.

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