The church of Saint-Pierre d'Usson was one of the properties granted by Bishop Frotier of Poitiers to the Abbey of Saint-Cyprien during the first half of the 10th century, when he restored that monastery after the Norman invasions. The Benedictine priory of Usson, dependent on Saint-Cyprien de Poitiers, was founded between 1088 and 1091, when that monastery was under the direction of Abbot Renaud († 1100).
Renaud oversaw the construction of a new church, as he also did during his abbacy in other locations. This initiative was accompanied by significant donations of property made by prominent local figures. In 1562, the church of Usson suffered major damage during the Wars of Religion. Around the same time, it came under the authority of commendatory priors. The priory essentially retained only its parochial functions.
In the 17th century, most of the repairs to the building were carried out, and certain alterations were made to its 11th-century Romanesque structure, which itself had been preceded by an earlier church, remains of which have been found. Following the Revolution, in 1791 the priory's properties were put up for sale. The 11th-century church, with later modifications, is still standing. It is a building with three naves—the side ones of unequal width—a transept, and a chevet with three apses. There are also some adjoining constructions.
North side aisle
South side nave (15th century)
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1939). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 2. Mâcon: Protat
- MAIGRET, A. (1951). Histoire d'Usson-du-Poitou. Saint-Maixent: Payet
- RÉDET, Louis F. X. (1874). Cartulaire de l'abbaye de Saint-Cyprien de Poitiers. Société des archives historiques du Poitou. Poitiers: Oudin
The church of Saint-Pierre stands in Usson-du-Poitou, south of Poitiers, on the road to Limoges via Confolens