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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Church of St. Croix of Parthenay originates in a relic of the True Cross, brought back from the kingdom of Israel and preserved until 1579. Founded by Ebbon and Gelduin, lords of Parthenay, it was originally built near the castle before 1090, then entrusted to a chapter of seven canons. Rebuilt in the 12th century, it was integrated into the fortified enclosure of the city. His history was marked by major changes, including the reconstruction of his bell tower in 1457 by the connétable de Richemont, after damage caused by an earthquake and a hurricane in 1711.

In the 17th century, Charles-Armand de La Meilleraye, Duke of Mazarin, undertook important works in the choir between 1665 and 1669: arching, enlargement of the apsidioles, and addition of a monumental altarpiece. The façade was completely rebuilt in 1781, using stones from the demolished castle to widen the street. These changes reflect the architectural and urban evolutions of Parthenay, while preserving medieval elements such as the 14th century fires, rediscovered in 1853.

The gisers of William VII, Archbishop (died around 1401) and his wife Jeanne de Mathefelon (died around 1415), classified as historical monuments in 1912, testify to the role of the church as a seigneurial necropolis. The building, classified in 1994, illustrates nearly seven centuries of history, mixing Romanesque heritage, Gothic and Baroque transformations, and modern restorations. Its compact architecture, with a vaulted nave in a broken cradle and a square bell tower, makes it a remarkable example of the Poitevin religious heritage.

The church of Sainte-Croix was also the scene of archaeological discoveries, like the two fires sheltering the mutilated gisters, restored in 1880. These elements, combined with Romanesque bays and a door to sculpted windows, highlight the artistic richness of the monument. The restoration work carried out between 1852 and 1855 preserved this building, now owned by the municipality and open to the public.

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