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Origin and history

The priory Saint-Laurent de l'Artige found its origins at the beginning of the twelfth century (ca. 1100-1130), founded by two Venetians, Marc and his nephew Sébastien, probably pilgrims who had become hermits near Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. Their community, initially settled at Artige-Veille, was victim of deadly violence around 1174-1175, forcing the fifth prior, Hélie, to transfer the priory to the fortified site of Chalard, renamed Artige-Grande. This new location, overlooking the confluence of the Maunde and Vienna, already housed a place of worship before the donation.

The construction or major renovation of the priory is attributed to Hélie, who erected a consecrated church in 1198, as well as the convent buildings (refectory, dormitory, capitular hall). Sources mention the ruins of a small pre-existing church, observed by the historian dom Estiennot around 1670. The present church, a long single vessel with oblique foothills and partially collapsed cradle vault, dates mostly from the late twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Its quadrangular bell tower, on the nave, and the three arched arched arches of the old capitular hall (ground floor) illustrate the late Romanesque and primitive Gothic architecture of the site.

The priory suffered repeated destruction (the Hundred Years War, the Wars of Religion) and was sold as a national good during the Revolution. In the 19th century, a retaining wall was added to the church, while later developments (XIX-XX century) altered some openings. Among the outstanding remaining elements are a circular tower adorned with the arms of the family of Bony de Lavergne (XV-XVI centuries), priors of the Artige, and traces of decoration painted under the coats, dated from the end of the 13th century. The western wing, a former refectory transformed into a dwelling, preserves medieval gates and ravens having supported the galleries of the cloister.

The site, partially classified as a Historical Monument (1926 and 1989), now includes the remains of the church, three arcades of the capitular hall, the Bony's weapons tower, and the cloister. The absence of the fourth south side of the square courtyard leaves a doubt about its completion. An enamelled plaque, preserved in Warsaw, attests to an altar dedication in 1267, confirming the cult activity of the priory on that date.

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