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Origin and history

The church Saint-Louis de Montcabrier was built between 1287 and 1298, simultaneously at the foundation of the bastide by Guy de Cabrier, Sénéchal de Quercy, as part of a paring agreement with Amalvin de Pestilhac. Its western portal, dating from the 1290s or early 14th century, features a unique openwork tympanum in Quercy, inspired by the canonization of Louis IX in 1297. The chapel capitals recall those of Cahors Cathedral, confirming this early dating.

In the 15th century, the vaults of the two side chapels were rebuilt, while in the 18th century, the nave was bent and equipped with new windows, and a sacristy added behind the choir. These changes reflect the architectural and liturgical evolution of the building. In 1889, lightning destroyed the bell tower and the first span, resulting in the partial demolition of the nave and the winding of the facade against the second span, works carried out by the company Crespel de Puy-l.

The church, originally annexed to Pestilhac, became the seat of an archpried after having replaced this locality. Its history is marked by the conflicts between the lords of Pestilhac and the crown of France, notably the rebellion of Amalvin of Pestilhac, killed in 1346 after joining the English party. The building, dedicated to Saint Louis, was listed as a historical monument in 1925 (façade) and then in 2003 (whole).

Inside, there is a reliquary statue of Saint Louis in the northern chapel and the tomb of Hugues de la Serre (died 1743), archpriest of Pestilhac, in the southern chapel. The trilobed wall cabinets of the chapels and the west arched portal bear witness to the artistic richness of the monument. The nave, originally vaulted dogives, was transformed into eye-glass cradles during renovations.

The Montcabrier foundation is part of the Quercy bastides, new cities created to control the territory and promote settlement. The church, the central element of the bastid, symbolized both the royal power (via the dedication to Saint Louis) and the social structure around a place of worship and assembly. The conflicts with Pestilhac illustrate the tensions between local lords and central authority, typical of this period.

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