Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Laurent church of Forges, located in the Charente-Maritime department in New Aquitaine, is mentioned for the first time in a charter of 1188 as a dependency of the Clunisian priory Saint-Martin of Aix. Its Romanesque origin, dated from the 12th century, is attested by its three-register facade, its broken cradle portal and its carved capitals. The reconstruction of the choir in the 15th century and the addition of two lateral chapels in the 16th century marked its architectural evolution, while the Wars of Religion seriously damaged the sanctuary, requiring restorations in the 17th century.

The Romanesque facade, characteristic of the building, features a campanile surmounted by a stone cross and figurative modillons, including a saltimbank and two male characters. Inside, the unique nave, once vaulted, is now covered with a plaster ceiling, and four Romanesque columns remain adorned with historic capitals. A painting by the painter Bernard Dagescy (1759–29), representing the Martyr of Saint Laurent, embellished the sanctuary. The church, which was listed as a historical monument in 2003, also preserves the remains of the former priory, including a basket handle door dated 1656.

The building illustrates the architectural transformations and historical tumults of the region, from clunisian origins to religious conflicts. Its bell tower-wall, broken arcades and neo-Gothic rostrum reflect successive adaptations, while its heritage inscription underscores its cultural importance. The adjacent buildings, formerly prioral dwellings, recall its central role in medieval and modern community life.

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