Soubise : Saint-Pierre Church

Originally a Romanesque collegiate church of the diocese of Saintes, the building was under the responsibility of a prior and canons. Repaired in the 15th century (in particular the arcades of the crossroads), it was largely destroyed (nave, choir) during the wars of religion. Between 1700 and 1712, the church was restored and its nave rebuilt in large size at the expense of the Prince of Soubise. The facade is decorated with pilasters with ionic capitals and surmounted by a triangular pediment. The eastern part retains elements dating from the 12th and 15th centuries, in particular the crossing of the transept which has large sculpted capitals and a rare vault of swords curved with eight parts; The arms are vaulted in cradle or with edges, and the truncated choir has a vault of warheads resting on small capitals decorated with foliage. The bell tower, which is square and massive, includes a screw staircase located in a cylindrical turret. He has repeatedly lost his wooden arrow before obtaining his current roof in the middle of the 19th century.