Argenton-Château - Saint-Gilles

Since 2006 Argenton-Château and two other villages form the new commune Argenton-les-Vallées.

The rocky outcrop, overlooking the valley, was a strongly fortified place in medieval times. The chateau was home of a powerful family. In 1069 the Lord of Argenton Geoffroy de Blois hands over the church of Saint-Gilles to the Benedictine monks of the Bourgueil Abbey, who since then had a priory here. This was a kind of family business, as the abbey was founded 990 by Emma de Blois, Duchess of Aquitaine.

The church mentioned was a predecessor of the church seen here. From 1100 on the priory belonged to the abbey of Saint-Jouin-de-Marnes. A new church was erected in the 12 century, replacing the older one. The facade, seen here, dates back to that church, while the most parts of the church result from a reconstruction of the 15th century.

The portal, mutilated during the French Revolution, is clearly influenced by works in Civray and Aulnay, that may only be decades older.

The smallest archivolt has an Agnus Dei in the center and three slender angels on either side. The next archivolt is populated with knights fighting evil creatures. The knights symbolize virtues, the beasts symbolize the vices. This is made clear by the inscriptions (eg IRA, LARGITAS, AVARICIA, CONCORDIA..). The "Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins" can be seen on the third and the 12 apostles and Christ in the center on the fourth archivolt. The outer archivolt has the signs of the zodiac and the labors of the months.