Airvault - Saint-Pierre

Saint-Pierre was the church of one of the largest Augustinian abbeys in the Poitou, that was founded in 991 by Audéarde, the wife of viscount Herbert I of Thouars. The monastery was on one of the "chemins" of the Via Turonensis, so when the number of pilgrims increased, the Canons Regular of St. Augustine had this large church erected in two construction phases from the 12th century on. The western facade and the narthex are the youngest parts of the structure.

When the era of the pilgrimage ended, the abbey declined and impoverished during the Hundred Years' War. Most conventual buildings were destroyed in the Wars of Religion. The abbey church now serves the parish.

As seen on the previous uploads, Saint Pierre has a narthex leading to the main portal, seen here. Very important is the desk on the left. During the summer, the visitor is greeted here, by young ladies, who are very friendly and very knowledgable. She guided me around and I found a lot of details, that I had not seen on an earlier visit.

Merci beaucoup, Madam!