The Priory of Saint-Hilaire de Foussais originated from an earlier church which, around 990, the counts of Poitiers, William II Fierebrace (935–994) and his wife Emma, sold to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Bourgueil (Indre-et-Loire). A priory was established there, already mentioned in 1003 as one of the possessions of that abbey. In addition to the church, the priory also acquired seigneurial rights over the site, including the right to administer justice.
This first building was rebuilt during the 12th century, from which part of the present façade still survives. Following the damage suffered during the Hundred Years’ War, as well as that caused by Geoffrey II of Lusignan, lord of Vouvant, known as Grand Dent (c. 1195–1248), the complex was reconstructed in the Gothic period (15th century), preserving much of the sculptural decoration of the Romanesque façade. In 1562 or 1568, the church again fell into ruin, this time as a result of the Wars of Religion, which, in addition to damaging the sculptures, left it without the vaults that had covered it.
It was never fully rebuilt and was instead covered with a timber structure, which is still in place today. The present building is the result of the various interventions carried out over time. In addition to the aforementioned façade, some walls from the 12th century are preserved. A nave was added to the structure in the 13th century, and elements of the 15th-century reconstruction also survive. Furthermore, other buildings of the former priory are preserved and are now occupied by the town hall, which acquired the site in 1980.
Tympanum with the Descent from the Cross
With an inscription with the author's name:
Giraudus Audebertus
Western portal
Western portal
Western portal
Western portal
Western portal
Western portal
Tympanum with Noli me tangere and Christ in the Home of Simon
Capital with animals
Corbel
The priory, now Hôtel de Ville
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- ALLARD, Thierry (1996). Saint-Hilaire-de-Foussais: Le programme sculpté de la façade. Congrés Archéologique de France. Vendée. París
- AUBERT, R. (1971). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 17. París: Letouzey et Ané
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1910). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 3: Auch, Bordeaux. Abbaye de Ligugé
- DILLANGE, Michel (1976). Vendée romane. La nuit des temps, 44. Zodiaque
- GRIFFISCH, Jean-Nöel (2015). Foussais-Payré (Vendée). Église Saint-Hilaire. Archéologie médiévale, núm. 45
- MILLARD, Élisa (1930). Les sculptures romanes de l'église Saint-Hilaire de Foussay en Bas-Poitou. Gazette des Beaux-Arts. París
The priory belongs to the commune of Foussais-Payré (Vendée), to the northwest of Niort