Camino Photo of the Day: Église Saint-Sauveur de Figeac

The abbey church of Saint-Sauveur has a long and troubled history. The abbey was founded in 838 by King Pepin I of Aquitaine at the request of the Abbey of Sainte-Foy of Conques. The two abbeys were independent but had a common abbot. The monks of Figeac could not stand this authority of the Abbey of Conques, and they were finally separated in 1074 when the monks of Figeac elected the abbot of Cluny as their own abbot. The conflict this caused was only resolved twenty years later after three councils and a papal intervention. Some centuries of peace followed, during which time the church was continually expanded.

Eventually, though, the dependence of Figeac on Cluny did not satisfy the abbot of Figeac, who requested direct attachment of the abbey to Rome. This was granted in 1496 by Pope Alexander VI, but the quarrels did not end until 1556, when the monastery, having only twelve remaining monks, was secularized.

The Calvinists captured Figeac in 1576 and remained in control of it until 1623. During this time, portions of the church were actively destroyed by its new masters. For nearly two centuries afterward, it was almost constantly reconstructed and renovated. The monastic buildings—everything except the church itself—were destroyed during the Revolution, leaving this charming parking lot.

Massive restoration work continued throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

We’ll take a look inside in the coming days, but for now, notice the charging terrier in the lower left-hand corner of the photo. He ran right up to me, barked once, and then ran off.

Date: 29 August 2023
Place: Figeac, Lot Département, Region of Occitanie, France

Maps!