Église Saint-Pierre de Jarnac

The église Saint-Pierre de Jarnac is a Romanesque church with a rectangular floor plan and a square tower positioned at its third bay. Inside, ribbed vaults span the nave and a substantial crypt lies beneath the church floor.

The church began in the 8th century as part of the Saint-Pierre priory, which was connected to the Saint-Cybard Abbey near Angoulême. The building grew in importance as a religious center throughout the medieval period.

The crypt displays original medieval wall paintings that visitors can still see today, reflecting how the space was decorated centuries ago. Walking through the four chambers arranged around the central pillar gives a sense of how people used this underground space for worship and prayer.

The church is open during standard visiting hours and is maintained by the Diocese of Angoulême. Visitors should remember this is an active place of worship, so respectful behavior is needed when exploring the interior and crypt.

Former French President François Mitterrand was baptized here and his funeral was held in this church in 1996. This connection makes it a significant location in recent French history.