Argenton-Château - Saint-Gilles

Since 2006 Argenton-Château and two other villages form the new commune Argenton-les-Vallées.

The rocky outcrop, overlooking the valley, was a strongly fortified place in medieval times. The chateau was home of a powerful family. In 1069 the Lord of Argenton Geoffroy de Blois hands over the church of Saint-Gilles to the Benedictine monks of the Bourgueil Abbey, who since then had a priory here. This was a kind of family business, as the abbey was founded 990 by Emma de Blois, Duchess of Aquitaine.

The church mentioned was a predecessor of the church seen here. From 1100 on the priory belonged to the abbey of Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes. A new church was erected in the 12 century, replacing the older one. The facade, seen here, dates back to that church, while the most parts of the church result from a reconstruction of the 15th century.

Details from the second archivolt. Knights (virtues) fight beasts (vices). Here "(LIBID)O : CASTITAS". On the right to of the "wise virgins" of the third archivolt.

Unfortunately the vandals of the Revolution did a great damage here. The state the carvings have now, is the result of a decade long restoration process.