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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Laurent de Rémalard en Perche is a religious building whose origins date back to the 11th century, as evidenced by the lower part of its tower still visible today. The current structure was largely rebuilt in the 14th century in an ogival style, marking a major architectural transition. Since then, the church has undergone only partial transformations and restorations, thus preserving its medieval character while integrating subsequent additions, including Renaissance elements of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The building is distinguished by its three-way Romanesque portal, topped by a modillon arcade, as well as by its three naves, whose sides, from the Renaissance era, open onto the central nave by third-point arcades. Inside, a rich piece of furniture attests to its history: a white stone, Louis XV, a 18th-century altarpiece decorated with statues of Saints Laurent and Stephen, as well as side altars dating back to 1677. Mural paintings, rediscovered in 1986, and liturgical objects such as a 19th-century cross road or a 18th-century pulpit complete this ensemble. Two sundials adorn its facade, while an old cemetery surrounds it, strengthening its historic anchor.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 29 November 1948, the St. Lawrence Church illustrates the architectural and artistic evolution of Normandy, from the beginnings of Romanesque art to the Renaissance. Its inscription protects both religious and cultural heritage, reflecting the practices and beliefs of local communities throughout the centuries. The available sources, including the Merimée and Monumentum bases, confirm its importance in the historical landscape of Orne, on which it depends administratively.

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