Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Priory of Monsempron-Libos is a former Benedictine priory founded in the 11th century, dependent on the Abbey of Aurillac. It is mentioned for the first time in a 1081-1089 text, confirming its existence under the authority of the bishop of Cahors Géraud de Gourdon and the abbot of Aurillac Pierre de Cisière. The priory, of a regular type, followed the Benedictine rule and was led by priors appointed by the abbot of Aurillac. His name "Montem Sempronium" appeared in 1259, and a papal bubble of 1299 confirmed his belonging to the abbey of Aurillac.

The church, dedicated to Saint Géraud and then also to Saint Eutrope from 1601, presents a Romanesque architecture marked by three construction campaigns: an crypt and an early nave of the 11th century, a reconstruction in the 12th century with a trilobed bedside and domes, and reshuffles in the 16th and 17th centuries (voûts, bell tower, portal). The priory, organized in a U-shaped plan around a cloister, preserves a 13th century gallery and 16th century windows. During the religious wars, the church was used simultaneously for Catholic cults and reformed.

The priory had a turbulent history: secularized in 1561 after the dissolution of the chapter of Aurillac, he was affected by the wars of Religion and banditry (complaint by Prior John of the Albrespy in 1469). In the 18th century, commodore priors, like Léon de Saulx de Tavannes, no longer resided there. After the Revolution, the wing became a presbytery, while the other parts were sold as national goods. The west wing, destroyed in the 19th century, gave way to a girls' school run by the Daughters of the Cross from 1859. Today, the prioral castle belongs to the commune and hosts exhibitions, while the church of Saint-Géraud remains a place of parish worship.

Among the notable priors, John de Secondat (16th century) belongs to the family of Montesquieu. The priory had outbuildings such as the Priories of Cuzorn and Saint-Front-sur-Lémance, as well as forges and the port of Arribos (now Libos). The income of the priory, estimated at 1,000 pounds in the 18th century, reflects its economic importance in the region. Ranked a Historical Monument in 1848 for the church and in 2009 for the priory, the site combines religious heritage and local history.

Archaeological and textual sources reveal five phases of construction for the Conventual Building between the 12th century and the Revolution. Graffitis of the Wars of Religion (XVI century) and architectural changes (division of the refectory, staircase in view) testify to its evolution. After 1906, the separation of churches and the state led to the departure of the parish priest from the eastern wing, transformed into housing until 1974. Restorations since 1989 have preserved this heritage, now shared between cultural and religious use.

External links