Origin of the site Haut Moyen Âge (≈ 738)
Presence of a villa then Carolingian palace.
XIe siècle
Foundation of the Priory
Foundation of the Priory XIe siècle (≈ 1150)
Benedictine Priory as Saint Martin.
Fin XVIe siècle
Partial destruction
Partial destruction Fin XVIe siècle (≈ 1695)
Devastated during League troubles.
7 mai 2007
Official protection
Official protection 7 mai 2007 (≈ 2007)
Registration for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The remains of the prioral house in its entirety, the sandstone walls of the prioral enclosure including the base of the former extinct corner turret and the archaeological soils of the priory plots A 690, 1162, 1165 and 1166 (cad. A 690, 692, 693, 1162, 1165, 1166): inscription by decree of 7 May 2007
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any names.
Origin and history
The priory of Quierzy, founded under the name of Saint-Martin and dependent on the order of Cluny, has been attested since the eleventh century. Its history is linked to that of a villa and then a Carolingian palace on the same site, mentioned from the early Middle Ages. The fortified priory was devastated at the end of the 16th century during the League's troubles, as reported by a royal investigation of 1622. Archaeological excavations, carried out in the 19th and 20th centuries (1916-17 and 1973-1975), revealed significant elements of its past.
Today, the priory remains the prioral home, as well as the wall of sandstone enclosure including the base of an old turret of the corner. These remains, as well as archaeological soils, were protected by an inscription to historical monuments in 2007. The site illustrates the religious and strategic importance of Quierzy, marked by continuous occupation since the Carolingian era.
The priory was a place of power and spirituality, typical of Clunisian settlements in Picardia. Its partial destruction during the Wars of Religion reflects the political and religious upheavals of the late Renaissance. The excavation campaigns revealed material traces of its evolution, from its medieval origins to its decline in modern times.
