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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Saint-Michel de Poulx, located in the Gard in Occitanie, is a monument whose origins date back to the twelfth century, with major transformations in the seventeenth century. This curate priory, placed under the authority of the bishop of Nîmes, illustrates medieval religious architecture before suffering the ravages of the Wars of Religion in the sixteenth century. After these conflicts, only the roman bedside and an adjacent turret remained intact, testifying to the violence of this period.

In 1615 restoration work was undertaken, largely reusing the materials of the demolished walls to rebuild the building. The Romanesque part, already modified in the 12th century, suggests an initial desire for fortification, perhaps linked to local tensions. The 19th century saw an extension of the church to the west, with a transfer of the sanctuary and the setting up of a stand in the old oriental bedside. The walls of 1615, threatened by deformations, were consolidated by an arch-button crossing the adjacent street.

Classified as a Historical Monument since 1972, the Church of Saint Michael today embodies a hybrid heritage, where medieval remains, classical reconstructions and modern adaptations are mixed. Its location in Poulx, near Nîmes, and its turbulent history make it a witness to the religious and architectural upheavals of the region. The accuracy of its location is considered satisfactory, and the building remains communal property, although its access to the public is not specified in the available sources.

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