Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

According to a local legend, the church of Notre-Dame de Genouillé was founded by Charlemagne, although its first written mention dates back to the end of the 11th century. The cross of the transept, the choir and the lower part of the facade date from the Romanesque period (XII century), testifying to its medieval origin. These architectural elements, characteristic of Romanesque art, form the historical base of the monument still visible today.

During the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the church underwent major changes, including interior design, installation of stalls, and reconstruction of the octagonal bell tower. These changes reflect the liturgical and aesthetic evolutions of the pre-revolutionary era. A new construction campaign, conducted in 1889 under the direction of the departmental architect Surreau, concerned masonry, structure and other structural elements, marking a desire to preserve and modernize the building.

The church of Notre-Dame de Genouillé is partially protected under the Historical Monuments: the bell tower and facade were classified by order of 21 December 1914, while the rest of the building (except for the classified parts) was inscribed by order of 28 October 1996. These successive protections underline the heritage value of the monument, now owned by the municipality of Genouillé.

The location of the church, although documented (address: 2 Route de Surin, Genouillé), is considered "a priori satisfactory" with an accuracy estimated at 6/10. This assessment reflects the limitations of the available geographic data, while allowing for a clear identification of the site in its rural poitevin context.

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