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Origin and history

The Romanesque gate of Marcillé-Raoul is the last vestige of the ancient parish church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul, a priory dependent on Saint-Melaine Abbey of Rennes. Built in the 12th century, it bears witness to a Romanesque building erected on older foundations, as evidenced by the brick cords at its base. The church was partially rebuilt in 1660 (façade) and 1782 (chœur), before being shaved in the 19th century to give way to a new church, thus moving the centre of the town.

The south gate, classified as a historic monument in 1921, is distinguished by its arch in the middle of a double-rolled hanger, supported by four columns with a capitals decorated with foliage. It was preserved in the ancient cemetery, alongside the 13th century granite high altar. These elements recall the importance of the priory, mentioned as early as 1160 under the prior Harcoid, and confirmed by Pope Luce III in 1185 as possession of Saint Melaine Abbey.

The priory of Marcillé-Raoul, called the White House in 1645, was a place of religious and economic power. The monks perceived tithes and held obligations to other abbeys (such as Rillé) or the bishop of Rennes. In 1208 Robert d'Apigné financed a daily mass there in exchange for land, illustrating the links between local nobility and clergy. The priory was finally united with the sacristy of Saint-Melaine in 1411, before disappearing after the Revolution.

The excavations and descriptions of the 19th century also reveal missing elements: a Roman triumphal arch, octagonal baptismal fonts, and an armored tombstone linked to the lords of the Great and the Little Plessis. These details highlight the central role of the church in the social and funeral life of Marcillé-Raoul, from the Middle Ages to its modern destruction.

Today, the Romanesque door, isolated in the cemetery, offers a rare example of 12th century religious architecture in Ille-et-Vilaine. Its ranking in 1921 and its preservation testify to the desire to preserve this heritage, despite the disappearance of the original building. The site also recalls the old topography of the village, organized around the church, the Saint-Pierre Fountain, and the Champs-aux-Moines, places now erased.

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