This church in Perville is one of the oldest possessions of the Abbey of Saint-Maurin. Its attachment to the abbey was confirmed in 1281 under the abbatiate of Gausbert Girval by a deed signed by the bishop of Cahors.
Come and immerse yourself in the 3D virtual visit of the church. An unforgettable experience! Launch the visit by clicking on the video Matterport.
The creation of this virtual tour was 100% financed by the Lot-et-Garonne 2022 Citizen’s Participatory Budget.
History
This church, the nativity of Our Lady, had already long been in existence when it was abandoned during the Hundred Years’ War and fell into ruin. The church was a benefice of the abbey of Saint Maurin, which exercised the right of patronage until the Revolution. Perville church was among those in the diocese of Cahors that in 1287 were ceded by Philippe le Bel to the English king, Edward I.
Architecture
It was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century, more or less in the form we see today. The vault, demolished during the wars of religion, was only restored in the choir in 1874 and in the nave in 1884.
The church is in the form of a Greek cross comprised of three bays, the first of which serves as the choir. The other two are side chapels flanking the nave.
The entrance, on the south side, is in the classic 17th century style. The facade on the west side was rebuilt in the 19th century, surmounted by a belfry wall with three arched openings; there we find a bell dating from 1684, a gift from the Benedictines of Saint-Maurin. The materials for this west wall came partly from a church at the place (lieu-dit) Lagarde dedicated to Saint John the Baptist which, having fallen into ruin, was abandoned and then demolished in 1835.
