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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Nexans, located in the Dordogne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, finds its origins in the 12th century. At that time, the Templars established a command office dependent on that of Condat-sur-Vézère. They built a castle and a chapel, which later became the present parish church. The chapel, destroyed and rebuilt on several occasions, retains its medieval origin only the lower part of its western facade. After the dissolution of the Templars, the commandory took over the order of Saint-Jean-de-Jérusalem.

The western facade, classified as a historical monument since 1963, has a four-piece portal in Saintongeese style, framed by two blind archatures. The carved capitals and modillons, as well as the Maltese cross on the southern façade, bear witness to its Templar heritage. The bell tower, modified in the seventeenth century, houses two bells in its superimposed campanary bays. Inside, the building consists of a unique nave and a choir surmounted by a dome, typical of the religious architecture of the region.

The church illustrates the architectural and historical evolution of the Dordogne, marked by the influence of religious military orders. Its rectangular plan, its formet arches and its flat bedside reflect the successive adaptations, from its medieval foundation to its modern transformations. The partial protection of its elements (facade and portal) underscores its heritage value, combining Templar heritage and rural architecture.

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