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Origin and history

The Saint-Martin church of Cahuzac, located in the Lot-et-Garonne department, has its origin in the history of the local castle, built at the end of the 13th century to monitor the Dropt valley. This castle, owned by the Barony of Cahuzac, which included twelve parishes, belonged to noble families such as the Caumont, then the Estissac (circa 1400-1586), before passing to the Rochefoucauld by marriage. The present chapel, built between 1500 and 1600, was commanded by the Estissac, probably by Geoffroy d'Estissac, bishop of Maillezais and brother of Baron Bertrand d'Estissac, Senechal of Agenais.

Originally, this chapel served as a private place of worship for the lords of the castle. In 1771, after the destruction of the former parish church, Louise-Élisabeth de La Rochefoucauld, Duchess of Enville and Baroness of Cahuzac, gave it to the local community. The building then became the parish church of the village. It was restored in the 1880s, then classified as a historical monument in 2012 after the partial discovery of a medieval fresco in 2009.

Architecturally, the church is distinguished by its late Gothic style, with a unique nave of 22 meters long, a star arch decorated with liernes and thirdons, and flamboyant reamped bays. The broken arch gate, topped by a triangular pediment, and a square tower with a spiral staircase complete its remarkable character. The stained glass windows, dating from the late 19th century, bear the names of local donors, including that of the Bordeaux artisan Joseph Villiet.

In 2011, an association was created to preserve and enhance this heritage, highlighting its historical and artistic importance. The partial fresco discovered in 2009, representing a Crucifixion, remains under study, adding a mystery to this historic monument.

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