Prieuré de Redon-Espic, Medieval priory in Castels et Bézenac, France
The Redon-Espic Priory is a church with a single nave covered by a stone slab roof, preserving its 12th-century monastic design. Its square footprint and thick walls display the Romanesque building style typical of that era and region.
This Benedictine priory was founded in the 12th century and held ties to the cathedral chapter of Sarlat. Abandoned in the 18th century, it passed into the hands of the local community before gaining protected status in 1856.
The priory takes its name from a nearby stream, following the medieval custom of naming religious sites after local waterways. This connection to the landscape remains visible today in how the building sits quietly among fields and stone walls.
Access is best on foot since the building sits along a country lane with no formal parking area. Sturdy shoes are helpful for walking the rural terrain, and it is wise to check current conditions before visiting, as restoration work may restrict entry at times.
For much of its later life, this building served as a shelter for sheep before local authorities recognized its historical importance. This overlooked chapter reveals how many medieval structures in the region lost their original purpose and were repurposed for everyday tasks.
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