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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Georges church of Richemont, located in Cherves-Richemont in Charente, finds its origins in the 11th century as a castral chapel of the Fortress of Richemont, built on a rocky spur overlooking the Antenne valley. The whole was destroyed in 1178 by the troops of Richard the Lion Heart, leaving only the crypt, classified as a Historical Monument in 1907. This crypt, dated from the 11th century, illustrates the beginnings of Romanesque art in Charente with its columns carved with vegetal motifs and arches.

Rebuilt in the 12th century as a parish church dedicated to St George, the building underwent several transformations. A restoration was mentioned in 1770, followed by a partial collapse in 1848, retaining only the southern wall. The current building was rebuilt between 1857 and 1858 by architect Paul Demenieux, following a sober plan with a vaulted nave in cradle and dome on pendants. A final restoration took place in 1999, preserving its 17th and 19th century furniture, including baptismal fonts and a cross path.

The crypt, the historic heart of the site, has a remarkable architecture: eight columns supporting vaults, four of which are dated from the 11th century and the others potentially from the 7th to the 6th centuries. These elements, carved in one block of stone, make it a rare testimony of the first Romanesque constructions in Poitou-Charentes. The site, classified in 1937, also houses a monument to the dead and furniture elements like a glass window depicting St.Georges terrorizing the dragon, typical of 19th century iconography*.

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