Notre-Dame de Cunault Church

Cunault Church was part of the Abbey founded in 847AD by the Benedictine monks of Noirmoutier after they fled the Norman invasions.

In 862AD, further incursions forced the monks to flee to Tournus in Burgundy, where they hid the relics of their patron St. Philibert.

They returned to Cunault during the 11th century and built a prosperous Benedictine priory, which remained under the control of Tournus.

Cunault Church’s impressive Romanesque belfry was enlarged during the 15th century with a stone spire.

The abbey was sacked and destroyed during the French Revolution.

As a result, the current belfry is all that remains of the original Church.

The interior is remarkable for the size and height of its 223 Gothic Angevin style pillars.

These are adorned with elaborate capitals carved during the 11th and 12th centuries.

Cunault church also boasts superb ancient frescoes and a polychrome Pietà.

This impressive church easily accommodated parishioners during the 7 daily services, but also the pilgrims who came from the whole kingdom in order to attend a major annual pilgrimage on 8th September!