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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Romain church of Villebois-Lavalette is a religious building dating back to the 12th century. It features a Romanesque architecture marked by a unique nave vaulted in a cradle, a transept surmounted by a dome on pendants, and a semicircular apse. The exterior, neat, reveals a stone trim and a polylobed portal, while leafy capitals testify to the artistic quality of the medieval era.

In 1895-1896, architect Edouard Warin undertook a major restoration and expansion. The west façade, entirely remodeled, has a richly carved pediment, while the neo-Roman bell tower, the original creation of Warin, becomes an emblematic element of the site. These works partially transform the building while maintaining medieval remains of great value.

Classified Historic Monument by order of 3 February 2012, the church is fully protected, including its access stairs and the soil of surrounding plots to preserve possible archaeological remains. Owned by the commune, it illustrates the architectural evolution between the medieval novel and the eclectic restorations of the late nineteenth century.

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