Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Church of Saint-Hilaire of Oizé dans la Sarthe

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine religieux
Eglise romane
Sarthe

Church of Saint-Hilaire of Oizé

    4-5 Place Marin Mersenne 
    72330 Oizé
Église Saint-Hilaire dOizé
Église Saint-Hilaire dOizé
Église Saint-Hilaire dOizé
Église Saint-Hilaire dOizé
Église Saint-Hilaire dOizé
Église Saint-Hilaire dOizé
Crédit photo : Skouame - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Antiquité
Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
400
500
1300
1900
2000
IVe siècle
Early cult of Saint Hilaire
Fin XIIe - Début XIIIe siècle
Construction of church
1900-1904
Restoration by Ricordeau
29 avril 1994
Historical monument classification
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Church (Box A 257): Order of 29 April 1994

Key figures

Auguste Ricordeau - Architect restorer Directed the works of 1900-1904
Saint Hilaire - Holy patron and venerated figure Purpose of the pilgrimage from the fourth century
Saint Martin - Bishop represented in painting Key figure of medieval iconography

Origin and history

The church Saint-Hilaire d'Oizé, located in the Sarthe department in Pays de la Loire, was built between the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. It occupies the site where pilgrims already venerated St Hilaire in the fourth century, stressing its early religious importance. The building, marked by late Romanesque architecture, is distinguished by its Plantagenet vaulted choir and its southern portal typical of this stylistic transition.

Between 1900 and 1904, the church was restored under the direction of architect Auguste Ricordeau, preserving its medieval elements while consolidating its structure. Classified as a historical monument in 1994, it houses treasures such as a monumental 13th century painting, La Mort de Saint-Hilaire, where the saint is represented surrounded by monks and bishops, including Saint Martin. The 18th-century altarpiece, in turn classified, bears witness to the artistic evolution of the place.

The painted decoration, mixing works from the twelfth and seventeenth centuries, reinforces the heritage value of the church. Its classification covers the entire building (cadastre A 257), highlighting its architectural and historical unit. The location in Oizé, near Le Mans, and the representation of this city in medieval painting create a symbolic link between the monument and its territory.

The available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) confirm its status as communal property and its role in the religious landscape of Sarthois. The accuracy of its location, noted as "passible" (level 5/10), invites further studies to refine geographical and historical data.

External links