Priory of Sainte-Valérie de Chambon
Prévôté Sainte-Valérie / Cambonium
(Chambon-sur-Voueize, Creuse)
The priory of Sainte-Valérie was founded during the second half of the 9th century by the abbey of Saint-Martial of Limoges. It was dedicated to the martyr Saint Valerie, a contemporary of Saint Martial, who was beheaded for refusing to marry the governor. Her remains were buried next to those of Saint Martial; however, in order to give greater prominence to the saint, around the year 985 her tomb and relics were transferred to Chambon, where became an object of veneration.
Over time, the current church was built on this site, a large building that still preserves its Romanesque structure. The monastic house suffered the effects of several military episodes, in 1440 and again in 1574, the latter during the Wars of Religion. Holding the status of a provostry, its dependency on Saint-Martial continued until 1572, although from the 13th century onwards, the provosts of Sainte-Valérie began to play an increasingly important role in managing the house. In 1708, the community joined the Cluniac congregation, a situation that lasted until its dissolution during the Revolution.
The church has a three-nave layout, with a heavily modified transept; the southern arm preserves two semicircular apses. The central apse, which houses the presbytery, features an ambulatory with three radial chapels. In front of the western façade stands a porch topped by a bell tower.
Reliquary of Saint Valerie (14th century)
Photo by Louis-Marie Caillaud, on Wikimedia
- 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
- ROY DE PIERREFITTE, J.-B. L. (1857-63). Études historiques sur les monastères du Limousin & de la Marche, vol. 1. Guêret: Betoulle
Chambon-sur-Voueize is located to the east of Guéret