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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Notre-Dame de Lusignan-Petit Church is a Catholic building located in the Lot-et-Garonne department of New Aquitaine. It was the seat of a priory dependent on Saint-Géraud d'Aurillac Abbey before being completely rebuilt in the 16th century. The large work dates back to the beginning of this century, while lateral chapels were added in 1557, as evidenced by the inscription "LAN 1557" on the vault key of the southwest chapel.

The bell tower, originally located above the nave, collapsed in 1815 after unsuccessful repairs requested by the inhabitants. A new bell tower was erected in 1821 next to the abside, under the direction of architect Jacques Bourrières. In 1864 Gustave Bourrières, a diocesan architect, proposed a restoration partially resumed in 1872 by Léopold Payen, including the vaulting of the nave and the construction of a sacristy.

The building has a pentagonal apse and a two-span transept, with vaults adorned with typical 16th century liernes and thirdrons. The first two spans of the nave were rebuked in 1874. Enlisted for historical monuments in 2005, the church illustrates the architectural evolution and successive restorations of a rural religious heritage.

The historical sources mention local architect interventions, such as J.R. Marboutin, who studied the transformations of the building, including the movement of the bell tower and the repairs of the vaults. The 19th century works, led by entrepreneurs like Marc Planès, marked the last major phase of its restoration.

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