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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Montaut, located in the Lot-et-Garonne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, finds its origins in the Middle Ages. Founded as a priory by the monks of the abbey of Saint-Géraud d'Aurillac, it succeeds a Romanesque church whose remains remain. The portal and arch bell tower, framed by two square towers, date from the end of the 13th century, while the major reconstruction of the building took place at the end of the 15th century.

During the religious wars, the church suffered significant deterioration. In 1572, Protestants set fire to the building, which was quickly repaired, as evidenced by the episcopal visit of 1597. The murals, made between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, were rediscovered in 1956 and were restored in 1986 and 2001.

The architecture of the church, described in 1931 by architect Poutaraud, is characterized by a nave of three spans lined with a south collateral, extended by a square choir. The ensemble is vaulted on a cross of warheads, with carved keys at the junctions of the arches. The bell tower, covered with flat tiles, is accessible by a spiral staircase and surmounted by an arcade gallery.

Ranked a historic monument in 1932, Saint Peter's church also retains traces of its Roman past, on which it was partially built. The 14th century west gate features carved capitals and a facade surmounted by a porch housing the remains of an old fireplace.

The murals, studied by Mireille Colas in 2010, constitute a major artistic testimony of the transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Their restoration revealed religious and decorative scenes, offering a glimpse of piety and art of the time.

The building, owned by the commune of Montaut, remains an active place of worship while attracting visitors for its architectural and pictorial heritage. Its ranking among historical monuments underlines its importance in the cultural heritage of New Aquitaine.

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