Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Vigeois
Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Vigeois / Vosium / S Petro Vosiensi
(Vigeois, Corrèze)
The Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Vigeois is one of the oldest in the Limousin region. Its existence is documented through the will of Saint Aredius (or Yrieix) of Atane (c. 511–591), dated to the year 572. It is likely that Aredius was also involved in its foundation or in a later rebuilding. The Gallia Christiana links this monastery with the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solignac (Haute-Vienne), although no further information on Vigeois appears until much later, suggesting that it may have ceased to exist during the Norman invasions.
Western facade
More information is available thanks to a text by Geoffroy de Vigeois, a monk of Saint-Martial de Limoges (Haute-Vienne) and prior of Vigeois until 1184, when he wrote his Chroniques. According to this chronicle, during the second half of the 11th century, the abbey was damaged by fire and subsequently had to be rebuilt. At that time, it was in decline, and in 1082 the intervention of the monastery of Saint-Martial was requested. From then on, Saint-Martial took charge of Vigeois, although the title of abbot was maintained, with its appointment falling under the authority of Saint-Martial.
During the Hundred Years’ War, the abbey suffered further damage, and in 1489 the Bishop of Limoges ordered its repair. At the end of the 16th century, the complex was again affected by military conflicts, which damaged several of its buildings. Later records show that it adopted the commendatory system, and by 1636 the monastic community had dwindled to just ten monks. The abbey experienced a modest revival following its integration into the Congregation of the Exempts. In 1746, it was joined to the seminary of Limoges and was practically dissolved, although the office of abbot was retained until the Revolution.
North portal
North portal
Today, only the church of the former monastery remains, Romanesque in style, though it has undergone numerous alterations and reconstructions. It is a single-nave building, quite short, and was rebuilt in the 19th century. It features a transept in which a large central apse opens, containing three radiating chapels. Two additional apses are located in the arms of the transept. Of particular note is the remarkable series of historiated capitals, mainly preserved in the chancel area.
North portal
North portal
North portal, Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Exterior of the apse
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Exterior of the apse
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Exterior of the apse
Daniel in the lion's den
Exterior of the apse
Annunciation
Exterior of the apse
Modillions
Parable of the good Samaritan
Temptation of Christ
People inside mandorles
Zacchaeus' story
Rising of Christ
Rising of Christ
Ascension
Resurrection at Nain
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1912). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 5. Bourges. Abbaye de Ligugé
- LASTEYRIE, Charles de (1901). L’abbaye de Saint-Martial de Limoges. París: Picard
- LEMAITRE, Jean-Loup (2018). Reliques et corps saints en Limousin de Geoffroi de Vigeois à Bernard Gui. Corps saints et reliques dans le Midi. Cahiers de Fanjeaux, 53. Toulouse: Privat
- MAURY, Jean (1960). Limousin roman. La Nuit des temps, 11. Zodiaque
- MONTÉGUT (1907). Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Vigeois en Limousin (954-1167). Llemotges: Ducourtieux
- PROUST, Evelyne (1992). Vigeois (Corrèze) : un ensemble de chapiteaux historiés en Bas-Limousin. Cahiers de civilisation médiévale, núm. 137
- PROUST, Évelyne (2007). Vigeois, ancienne abbatiale Saint-Pierre. Congrès archéologique de France, 163e session, 2005, Corrèze. Société française d’archéologie
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1720). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 2. París: Typographia Regia
The church of the former Abbey of Vigeois, now serving as a parish church, is located in the town of the same name, north of Brive-la-Gaillarde, on the road to Limoges