Rudelle - St. Martial

The Bastide Rudelle was founded around 1250 by Bertrand de Cardaillac, the lord of Lacapelle-Marival, on a side route of the Camino de Santiago (Via Podiensis).

The church of Saint-Martial was originally the chapel of a pilgrim hospital.

The first mention of a fortified church dates back to 1320. The second level was likely added only in the 14th century as a refuge chamber to protect the inhabitants of Rudelle from the unrest caused by the passage of mercenary companies and bandits during the Hundred Years' War.

It only became a parish church in the second half of the 15th century, in 1470, at the request of the inhabitants. In 1471, Astorg de Cardaillac, lord of Lacapelle-Marival, ceded his tower in Rudelle to the inhabitants so that they could take refuge there and store their belongings. However, they were required to maintain and repair it.

In 1593, during the Wars of Religion, the Duke of Bouillon, Viscount of Turenne and a Protestant, came to besiege the tower, which was defended by the inhabitants of Rudelle.