Montmorillon - Notre Dame

Notre Dame was built on a cliff in several stages. A church existed here already with the 11th century, which was in possession Abbey of Saint-Savin. The present church, since the 13th century a collegiate church, was built over the old crypt in different stages in the 13th, the 14th and the 15th century. It got restored many times. During the Hundred Years War, the walls were raised and fortified.

The church was damaged during the Wars of Religion. It was necessary to rebuild the bell tower and the first spans of the nave.

I had returned to Montmorillon as during my last visit I could not the crypt dedicated to Saint Sainte-Catherine of Alexandria. I knew of 11th-century frescoes in that old crypt, but it was closed again. Since 2018 the church is closed for the public and under repair, due to a partial collapse of the ground.