Rioux - Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

Not much is known about the history of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, an outstanding example of the specific "style saintongeais".

The structure is so masterly built and has such sophisticated carvings, that it is believed, it may have served as a priory church, after it was completed end of the 12th / early 13th century.

As the walls are built from the soft local sandstone, it was easy to scratch graffiti into them. But, just as the carvings, the carved graffiti have weathered. It is impossible to date them, but they may have been carved in by pilgrims on the Via Tolosana. Here are crosses, sails - and a horse?