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Origin and history

The church Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Cendrieux is a Catholic religious building located in the village of Cendrieux, Val de Louyre and Caudeau, south of the Dordogne department, in New Aquitaine. Built mainly at the end of the Romanesque era, it features a square choir surmounted by a dome on pendants, as well as two arms of transept arched in cradle. Its architecture suggests that it replaced an apse in cul-de-four, now disappeared, and that it was initially linked to the knights of Saint John, as evidenced by its location in the enclosure of an old castle.

The church has undergone changes over the centuries, notably in the 16th century with the addition of two side chapels, and in the 18th century with the integration of a broken arch door into its Romanesque portal. Its bell tower, initially square, was raised to form a massive ensemble evoking a dungeon, with thick walls and high access. The brick vault, added at the end of the 19th century, replaced an old panel. The building has been protected since 1925, with an inscription as historical monuments for its Romanesque choir.

Dedicated to the Take-off of Saint John the Baptist, this church replaced the former parish church of Saint Georges, now extinct. Its history is documented by local sources, such as the writings of Abbé Alcide Carles or the canonical visits of the diocese of Périgueux in the 17th century. The windows of the choir and transepts retain their primitive form, offering an architectural testimony of Romanesque techniques. The current structure thus combines medieval heritage and Renaissance additions, reflecting the religious and social evolutions of the region.

The protection of the church in 1925 underscores its heritage importance, particularly for its choir and Romanesque elements. The knights of Saint John, military and religious orders, played a role in its history, as suggested by its position in the castral enclosure. Subsequent modifications, such as the bell tower and 16th century chapels, illustrate the adaptations of the building to the liturgical and defensive needs of the local community.

Today, Saint John the Baptist Church remains a prominent example of perigordine religious architecture, combining defensive and spiritual elements. Its plan, vaults and interior decorations reflect late Romanesque influences, while its later additions reflect stylistic and functional evolutions. The location in the village of Astridieux, as well as its link with the neighbouring castle, reinforces its anchor in the medieval and modern history of the Dordogne.

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