Name - Eglise Saint Eutrope
Location - Les Salles-Lavauguyon
Department - Haute-Vienne 87
Free Entrance
State - Church

Les Salles Lavauguyon is situated in central southwest France between, and within easy reach of two historical cities. Angouleme to the west, Limoges to the east. This small tranquil village can be found nestling within the Haute-Vienne region of the Limousin, and on the perimeter of the 'Pays de la Meteorite', where 200 million years previously, the landscape had been created by the impact of a huge meteorite.



Blueprint

The village, which is also on the route 'Richard Coeur de Lion', boasts a national treasure, a Romanesque church that contains some of the finest frescoes in France. Its adjoining small medieval Priory is a building of equal interest. The church also played host to Pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.
On the instructions of Viscount Aymeric of Rochechouart in 1075, the construction of the church commenced. Unfortunately it was built next to a natural spring, and so for nearly 1000 years it has suffered serious damp problems, causing fungi and algae to coat the interior. It was also built on sloping ground, which meant that the sloping dirt floor had over the centuries become hard, and therefore slippery due to the constant damp. The actual soil of the church had been created in the middle of the X1Xth century. Before, beaten earth was used to shape out tombs, of which those of notable rank were recognised by granite slab. It wasn't until the early 1900's that the dirt floor was replaced with tiled stepped terraces.
The church, which is dedicated to Saint Eutrope, who was bishop of Saintes at the end of the 3rd century, is one of the most striking examples of Romanesque architecture in the Limousin (the facade is of the neighbouring charentais style), and with over 900 years of history retained within its walls, it still holds some secrets. Similar to most other ancient buildings, it has witnessed several changes to its structure. From major reconstruction in the late 12th century to cater for a Priory, to the collapse of the bell tower several hundred years later. In October 1907 its historical importance was recognised and was made an historic monument. Today, ongoing restoration work is not only still uncovering and therefore preserving more of it's unique history, but is also giving this beautiful monument a new lease of life.