Sanctuary and ancient thermal baths Gallo-romain (Ier-Ve siècle) (≈ 550)
Remains of masonry and Roman elevations.
Xe siècle
Foundation of the Priory
Foundation of the Priory Xe siècle (≈ 1050)
Reuse of the site after post-Roman abandonment.
XVe siècle
Construction of the house and tower
Construction of the house and tower XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Quadrangular tower and hexagonal screw staircase.
1789
Sale as a national good
Sale as a national good 1789 (≈ 1789)
Confiscated during the French Revolution.
2003
Registration Historic Monument
Registration Historic Monument 2003 (≈ 2003)
Total protection of the priory and remains.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The priory in full (cad. A 357), the adjoining land (cad. A 356) and Parcel A 358: inscription by order of 29 September 2003
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any historical actors.
Origin and history
The Priory of Salt-en-Donzy retains significant remains of its Gallo-Roman past, including ancient elevations and masonries in its basements, testimonies of an ancient sanctuary. This complex was probably associated with thermal baths, a theatre and a hot spring, revealing the importance of the site in Roman times. After a period of abandonment, the priory was founded in the 10th century, but it was especially in the 15th century that the buildings visible today took shape, like the prior's home and its quadrangular tower.
In the 15th century, the priory was taken over and enlarged, with the addition of a spiral staircase in a hexagonal tower, illustrating the architectural evolutions of the period. The monument, which became a national monument during the French Revolution, is now fully protected, including the house, ancient remains and adjoining plots. Its inscription in the Historical Monuments in 2003 highlights its heritage value, mixing Gallo-Roman and medieval heritage.
The surrounding village also bears the traces of this ancient occupation, with remains suggesting a thermal and religious complex. The abandonment of the site after the Roman period, followed by its reuse as a priory, reflects the cultural and religious transformations of the region. The changes of the 15th century, such as the tower and stairway, mark a period of architectural revival before its sale as a national good.
