Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche - Saint-Yrieix

The "Collégiale Saint-Yrieix" was the center of a collegiate, that evolved from a convent founded by Saint Arédius (aka Saint Yrieix) around 560. The tomb of Saint Arédius was an early place of pilgrimage and a large church got erected from the 11th century on, when the monks had been replaced by a chapter of canons.

The oldest parts of the collegiate-church are the Romanesque portal and the tower. The wide nave, seen here, was erected end of the 12th century, according to the "Base Mérimée". The choir in the background is already Gothic (14th century).