Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The priory of Félènes, located in the hamlet of Félines on the commune of Prudhomat (Lot, Occitanie), has its origins since the 9th century. In 887 and 928, the estate is mentioned in the cartular of Beaulieu Abbey, with a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary. In 928, Abbé Jean ceded this chapel to the abbey to establish a Benedictine priory, including Bretenoux as an annex. A new church, dedicated to Saint Peter and honoring several saints, was built and consecrated in 1112 by the bishop of Cahors Géraud de Cardaillac.

In the 14th century, the church adopted massive architecture, with a vaulted nave of warheads and a square bell tower. The Notre Dame chapel, rebuilt around 1500, became the burial of the Castelnau family, as evidenced by the tombstone of Jacques de Castelnau (died 1514). Saint Peter's Church, damaged during the Wars of Religion, was rebuilt in the 17th century and served as a parish church in Bretenoux until 1808.

Sold in 1836, the church was converted into a barn and barn before being classified as a historic monument in 1978. Today, owned by a diocesan association, it preserves remains of medieval frescoes and a typical architectural aspect of the late Middle Ages. Its inscription as historical monuments in 1978 preserved this emblematic religious heritage of the Lot.

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