Small churches
The small rural churches around Montpezat
Visit the eight small churches around Montpezat-de-Quercy, the hidden treasures of our magnificent heritage…
Gandoulès, La Madelaine, La Salvetat, Montalzat, Montfermier, Pilou, Saint-Laurent de Sénézels, Notre-Dame de Saux.
Notre-Dame de Saux
The church was built in the 14th century around a hamlet near the manor of La Bouffie. It has remarkable wall paintings discovered in 1957 under a layer of plaster.
The oldest – those in the choir and the two side chapels – date back to 1345. This exceptional work was influenced by painting in northern France and the royal court of Paris.
There is probably a link with the construction of the neighboring collegiate church (the collegiate church and Saux were decorated by the same workshop).
Gandoulès
The small Saint-Pierre Church in Gandoulès is a jewel of Romanesque art (12th century), a visual testimonial to the history of Quercy Blanc. It is home to a national treasure, one of the rare bells dating back to the 15th century and still functioning in Midi-Pyrénées. It is registered in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments. In addition, a brand-new “Marie” bell was designed, cast, demolded and raised in 2018. It is a reflection of the life in the heart of the Hamlet.
Inside, the semi-circular apse has a semi-dome vault. The entrance portal’s beautiful decoration remains, an example of late Flamboyant Gothic architecture, bearing witness to the building’s reconstruction in the early 16th century.
La Madeleine
The history of the parish of Sainte Marie Madeleine in Aussac dates back to the beginning of the 11th century. There is a site from the Early Middle Ages nearby, suggesting an even older existence.
The church was rebuilt in the 15th century after the long Franco-English conflict, as evidenced by the angel bearing the coat of arms of the kings of France. The layout is very characteristic of the reconstructions of this period: single naves, side chapels, etc.
La Salvetat
The very name of this parish indicates an origin dating back to the 11th century. At that time, “sanctuaries” were set up allowing those who felt in danger to find a safe refuge during the private wars between local lords.
Montalzat
A place of worship has existed in Montalzat since the 12th century.
The present church was built in the 17th century, and rebuilt in 1872 in a Neo-Gothic style.
The interior was decorated by the Montauban painter Gaillard-Lala.
Montfermier
The parish of Montfermier has a history dating back to the 13th century.
The present church was built in the 16th century, but then greatly changed in the 18th century.
It has a very beautiful leather antependium, said to be “from Cordoba” (18th century).
Pilou
The Gallo-Roman site next to the church bears witness to a very ancient occupation and Christianization. Rebuilt after the Hundred Years’ War, the Church of Pilou dates back to the 15th century.
The bell tower was built at the beginning of the 19th century.
If you look closely, you will notice a beautiful armarium and sculpted ornaments.
Saint-Laurent de Sénézels
There are very few documents tracing the existence of this church.
The building was rebuilt after the Hundred Years’ War.
Its unique feature: a flat ceiling, decorated at the beginning of the 20th century by the Montauban painter Gaillard-Lada.
To visit the small churches, simply contact the tourist office or the Montpezat-de-Quercy Town Hall!
There is a guidebook on sale at the tourist office, at the collegiate church and at the Montpezat-de-Quercy Town Hall.