Abbey of Saint-Martin de Tulle

Subsequently, the site suffered various adversities, such as a Norman invasion in the mid-9th century. The monastery was restored by the viscounts of Tulle, Adhémar des Échelles († c. 937) and his wife Gauzla, who brought monks from Saint-Savin (Vienne) and provided financial support. Once recovered, the monastery enjoyed a long period of prosperity. In 1103, Abbot Guillaume de Carbonières initiated the construction of a new church, which had to be restored after suffering damage during a military episode in 1210.

The current cathedral church has been preserved with many modifications. Although remains of earlier constructions have been found, the present building corresponds to the one built from 1103 onwards, with renovations from the 13th and 14th centuries and significant losses, such as the apse and transept. It has three naves divided into five bays. The original apse contained an ambulatory with four radial chapels, along with two more chapels in the arms of the lost transept. On the western façade, there is a bell tower situated above the entrance porch. To the south of the church, there is an irregularly shaped cloister that has also undergone modifications. The chapter house, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, still preserves important remnants of mural decoration.