St. Mary's Church, St. Radegund

The church in Bassignac is first mentioned in the 8th or 9th century as being dedicated to Saint Mary.
The present-day church was built in the 12th century and has been part of local history since the Middle Ages. It is mentioned in the charter known as the Charter of Clovis and is associated with the village’s former priory. In the 15th century, two side chapels were added and the western façade was altered or rebuilt.

The church has an elongated single-nave layout and is built of sandstone, dressed stone and rubble masonry, with a slate roof. The apse is covered by a quarter-sphere vault, while the side chapels feature rib vaults. The western façade reflects the building’s understated Romanesque style, complemented by later architectural features.

Inside, the church preserves sculpted elements, stained-glass windows and furnishings that bear witness to its long history of liturgical use. The choir features beautiful Romanesque capitals decorated with foliage and fantastic creatures from the medieval bestiary, including griffins — mythical creatures combining the features of an eagle and a lion. Symbolically positioned at the entrance to the sanctuary, they serve as guardians.

At least since the 16th century, the church has been dedicated to Saint Radegund. This dedication is reflected in a 17th-century wooden statue of Saint Radegund, which is listed as a protected historic monument in its own right.

**Visiting information:** The church is open for self-guided visits. Keys can be collected from the town hall of Bassignac: +33 (0)4 71 40 82 33.