Jonzac - Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais

Legends tell, that Charlemagne bestowed this place the relics of Saint Anthème. This can even be found in the "Historia Caroli Magni" (aka "Pseudo Turpin"), but that is a forged chronicle written in the 12th century. There has for sure been a church or chapel before, as in 2009 excavations prooved, that in front of the church is a large merovingian necropole. Note the copper plates, that mark the graves.

The church seen today was erected end of the 12th century. It still has an impressive Romanesque facade in the typical "style saintongeais". The intricate carvings were done using the soft lime stone, that came from quarries in the area (eg Crazannes). Like everywhere in the Saintongue the soft stones are very weathered.

It got enlarged and modified within the 15th/16th century. Severely damaged during the Wars of Religions (all vaults crashed down), the church got reconstructed during the 19th century. At that time the tower was added to the western side.