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Origin and history

The Saint-Hilaire church of Asnières-sur-Vègre, located in the Sarthe department, is one of the oldest religious buildings in Maine. According to tradition, it was founded in the fourth century by Saint Thuribe, a companion of St Julien. Between 623 and 654, a lord of Sablé offered the land of Asnières to the Canons of Mans, then the latter bought the church between 1067 and 1068 from Solomon, the son of Geoffroy. The nave and choir, in Romanesque style, were built around the middle of the 11th century, while the bell tower dates from the 12th century.

The murals, made between the 12th and 16th centuries, were rediscovered in 1951. They illustrate scenes of Christ's life and representations of hell. The Romanesque choir was replaced by a Gothic choir in the 14th century, and the tower of the bell tower, without external access, was once used as a watchtower. The building, including its paintings, was classified as a historic monument on July 27, 1979.

The church consists of a rectangular nave pierced with windows, a Gothic choir, and a glamour dating from 1781, which is now extinct. The murals, exceptional in their state of conservation, testify to the religious and artistic importance of the site. The property belongs to the commune of Asnières-sur-Vègre, located in the region of Pays de la Loire.

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