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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Saint-Laurent church of Neuvy-Pailloux is a Catholic religious building located in the commune of Neuvy-Pailloux, in the department of Indre, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. It is part of the archdiocese of Bourges and depends on the dean of Châteauroux. Built in the 12th century, it is a typical example of the Romanesque architecture of Berrichonne Champagne, with elements such as its bell tower and apse that have traversed centuries.

The bell tower, a major vestige of the original construction, is distinguished by its tower structure surmounted by an openworked floor and a wooden arrow covered with slates in 1817. Each face of the bell tower is decorated with two large arcades resting on columns decorated with carved capitals, representing plant motifs or heads. These arcades themselves house smaller bays, supported by finely worked columns. The cul-de-four, along with the span of the vaulted choir and the transept, also date from the 12th century.

The church was ranked in two historical monuments: a first protection in 1924 for its bell tower (outside the roof), followed by a second ranking in 1942 for its apse and the roof of the bell tower. These preservation measures reflect the heritage value of the building, still owned by Neuvy-Pailloux. Today, it remains an active place of worship, integrated into the parish of Saint Vincent.

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