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.

Details from the third archivolt: the "Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins". Like all archilvolts the third has an inscription, that is in total

(ISTE SUNT PRUD) ENTES QUINQUE VIRGINES ADVENTI SPONSI CUM ASCENI (S LAMPADIBUS EXPECTANTES VENIENTIS)

The inscription to the right is about vices and virtues (see previous upload). Seen here IRA : PALIENC(IA)

Unfortunately the vandals of the Revolution caused a great damage here. The state the carvings have now, is the result of a decade long restoration process.