Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche - Saint-Yrieix

The "Collégiale Saint-Yrieix" was the center of a collegiate, that evolved from a convent founded by Saint Arédius (aka Saint Yrieix) around 560. The tomb of Saint Arédius was an early place of pilgrimage and a large church got erected from the 11th century on, when the monks had been replaced by a chapter of canons.

The oldest parts of the collegiate-church are the Romanesque portal and the tower. The wide nave was erected end of the 12th century, according to the "Base Mérimée".

In the treasury of Saint-Yrieix, behind shatterproof glass, is this head-shaped reliquary, housing the skull of of Saint-Yrieix. Actually this is a copy of the medieval original, so I am not sure, wether the relic is here.