Abbaye de Puypéroux, Medieval abbey in Montmoreau, France.
Abbaye de Puypéroux is a church building featuring an octagonal dome above the crossing and a five-sided choir surrounded by small radiating chapels with detailed stonework. The adjoining monastic structures remain on site but serve different purposes today.
The site was established in the 6th century and functioned as a Benedictine monastery until the 14th century when it became a priory. The monks relocated to a collegiate church elsewhere, marking a significant shift in the abbey's role.
The church capitals display Romanesque carvings showing human figures, animals, and mythical beings that reflect how medieval craftspeople understood art and storytelling.
The church interior is open to visitors on most days, though hours may vary with the season. The adjoining buildings are typically closed to the public, so plan your visit around the church itself.
The octagonal dome structure sits on narrow passages around support pillars, an unusual engineering solution for its era. The unfinished transept reveals that construction never fully followed the original architectural design.
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