Construction of church XIIe-XIIIe siècles (≈ 1350)
Romanesque and early Gothic period
1769
State of the church documented
State of the church documented 1769 (≈ 1769)
Church in good condition, complete ornaments
1798
Sale as a national good
Sale as a national good 1798 (≈ 1798)
Purchased by Jean Dury, notary
1971
Purchase by the municipality
Purchase by the municipality 1971 (≈ 1971)
Integration with Conventual Buildings
2 octobre 1989
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2 octobre 1989 (≈ 1989)
Protection of medieval remains
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Saint-Hilaire parish church (vestiges de l'Ancienne) (Box AE 62): Order of 2 October 1989
Key figures
Jean Dury - Public notary
Purchaser of the church in 1798
Abbé de Celles - Parish priest
Religious leader of the site
Origin and history
The remains of the church of Saint-Hilaire de Celles-sur-Belle, built between the 12th and 13th centuries, testify to a hybrid architecture combining Romanesque and Gothic styles. The building, partially destroyed, originally retained a nave above a vaulted crypt in a cradle and a flat-bed chapel. Remaining elements include warhead vaults, hooked capitals, and curved bays, revealing a neat construction.
Adjoining the Abbey of Notre-Dame, this former parish church was sold as a national property in 1798 after being described in good condition in 1769. Despected during the Revolution, it was bought by the commune in 1971 with the neighbouring convent buildings. Its remains, classified as Historic Monument in 1989, illustrate the medieval architectural evolution and the central role of the church in local life.
The flat bedside, adorned with arcatures and modillons, as well as the foothills and columnettes with deciduous capitals, highlight the nascent Gothic influence. The crypt, vaulted in a cradle, and the departures of nerves from the nave attest to a complex structure, adapted to a sloped terrain. These architectural details reflect medieval construction techniques and the religious importance of the site.
The church of Saint-Hilaire, originally under the responsibility of Abbé de Celles, also served as a parish. Its sale in 1798 to Jean Dury, a local notary, for 55,000 francs marked its post-revolutionary decline. Subsequent excavations and restorations, particularly after its classification, allowed to highlight these remains, invaded by vegetation before they were cleaned.
