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Origin and history

The Saint-Symphorian church of Auge, located in the Creuse department in New Aquitaine, is a religious building whose origins date back to the twelfth century. From this period remain today the semicircular apse and the first span of the choir, characteristic of the Romanesque art. The church then depended on Chambon's apse, which shows its anchoring in the medieval monastic network of the region.

The nave, originally built in the 12th century, was completely rebuilt, probably before the French Revolution. Disused during this troubled period, it was restored to worship during the Second Empire (1852-1870), marking a phase of restoration and religious appropriation. The frame bell tower, covered with slates, and the nave covered with its north side chapel date from this reconstruction.

The interior of the church reveals a painted decoration of the 19th century, composed of friezes, geometric motifs and foliage, which adorns the choir. The carved capitals of the abside, representing animals and masks enhanced with polychromy, illustrate the Romanesque heritage. The building, including its decoration, was listed as a historic monument on August 12, 1988, recognizing its heritage value.

The bedside, partly abrased, is highlighted by a billeted cord that highlights the bays and foothills. This architectural detail, typical of Limousin Romanesque art, reinforces the historical character of the monument. Today owned by the municipality of Auge, the church remains a testimony of the religious and architectural evolutions of the Creuse, between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

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