This audio clip tells you about the origins of the town of Saint-Yrieix in the mid-6th century, when Aredius, a Christian evangelist, founded a monastery in this exact location, which then became a cathedral chapter.
In this video, explore the Saint-Yrieix Collegiate Church, the stages of its construction and its architectural features, which have often caused it to be referred to as a quasi-cathedral.
In this interview, Zoé Darsy, head of cultural heritage of the town of Saint-Yrieix, tells the fascinating tale of the head reliquary of Aredius, which was stolen, replicated and replaced, with the original now kept at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The replica in front of you is carried in processions during the Limousin ostensions (traditional ceremonies that are held every 7 years).
What is the purpose of this small enamelled chest decorated with angels?
What is the purpose of this small enamelled chest decorated with angels?
A chasse is a small chest in which relics (bones) of saints are kept after being removed from their graves. It can be kept in or under the altar. Crafted in the mid-13th century to hold the relics of Saint Germain, this chasse is the only survivor of three chasses that were once owned by the Saint-Yrieix Collegiate Church.
It is decorated with 20 angels in the medallions, which are spaced equally around the piece: eight on the front, eight on the back and two on each gable. It is made from copper and decorated in gold and enamel. The technique used here to apply the enamel, champlevé, was key to the reputation of Limousin enamels in the Middle Ages, which can now be found in museums across the entire world. To learn more about this technique and its history, watch this video.
A chasse is a small chest in which relics (bones) of saints are kept after being removed from their graves. It can be kept in or under the altar. Crafted in the mid-13th century to hold the relics of Saint Germain, this chasse is the only survivor of three chasses that were once owned by the Saint-Yrieix Collegiate Church.
It is decorated with 20 angels in the medallions, which are spaced equally around the piece: eight on the front, eight on the back and two on each gable. It is made from copper and decorated in gold and enamel. The technique used here to apply the enamel, champlevé, was key to the reputation of Limousin enamels in the Middle Ages, which can now be found in museums across the entire world. To learn more about this technique and its history, watch this video.
A chasse is a small chest in which relics (bones) of saints are kept after being removed from their graves. It can be kept in or under the altar. Crafted in the mid-13th century to hold the relics of Saint Germain, this chasse is the only survivor of three chasses that were once owned by the Saint-Yrieix Collegiate Church.
It is decorated with 20 angels in the medallions, which are spaced equally around the piece: eight on the front, eight on the back and two on each gable. It is made from copper and decorated in gold and enamel. The technique used here to apply the enamel, champlevé, was key to the reputation of Limousin enamels in the Middle Ages, which can now be found in museums across the entire world. To learn more about this technique and its history, watch this video.
This object is a Eucharistic dove. Do you know the purpose for which it was used?
This object is a Eucharistic dove. Do you know the purpose for which it was used?
The Eucharistic dove is a type of container used for worship that held the consecrated communion wafers in the Middle Ages. For the most part, these were suspended over the altar by chains.
The dove, which is a symbol of peace in the Old Testament, brought an olive branch at the end of the Great Flood as a sign that God was no longer angry. In the Gospels, the dove represents the Holy Spirit.
The medieval workshops of Limoges produced many Eucharistic doves, merging the imaginary and the realistic in their engraved and enamelled decorations. This dove is thought to date back to the 17th century and is one of the last Eucharistic doves in France to still be kept in its original church.
The Eucharistic dove is a type of container used for worship that held the consecrated communion wafers in the Middle Ages. For the most part, these were suspended over the altar by chains.
The dove, which is a symbol of peace in the Old Testament, brought an olive branch at the end of the Great Flood as a sign that God was no longer angry. In the Gospels, the dove represents the Holy Spirit.
The medieval workshops of Limoges produced many Eucharistic doves, merging the imaginary and the realistic in their engraved and enamelled decorations. This dove is thought to date back to the 17th century and is one of the last Eucharistic doves in France to still be kept in its original church.
The Eucharistic dove is a type of container used for worship that held the consecrated communion wafers in the Middle Ages. For the most part, these were suspended over the altar by chains.
The dove, which is a symbol of peace in the Old Testament, brought an olive branch at the end of the Great Flood as a sign that God was no longer angry. In the Gospels, the dove represents the Holy Spirit.
The medieval workshops of Limoges produced many Eucharistic doves, merging the imaginary and the realistic in their engraved and enamelled decorations. This dove is thought to date back to the 17th century and is one of the last Eucharistic doves in France to still be kept in its original church.
You are now opposite the ancient ramparts of Saint-Yrieix’s fortified medieval town, which were formed by the walls of houses, creating an inhabited enclosure around the Collegiate Church and the Plô tower. Listen to the audio guide to understand how this organisation functioned.
This home belonged to the viguier of Saint Yrieix. But who was this figure?
The viguier was the king’s representative in the area. He ensured the good administration of the city and upheld justice in the name of the king from the early 14th century. It was previously the provost who was responsible for this role, on behalf of the Viscount of Limoges, and on the basis of his seigniorial authority. However, following the power struggles between the Viscount of Limoges and the canons of the Collegiate Church, King Philip IV the Fair sided with the latter. In 1307, he established a paréage contract with them, through which he entrusted the responsibility for justice to a royal officer, the viguier, who was chosen by the king and the chapter. Seigniorial authority had therefore yielded to royal power.
This house appears to have been mainly built in the 16th century, but it also includes older elements, such as a medieval covered porch entrance with a corbel arch storey on the eastern façade.
The viguier was the king’s representative in the area. He ensured the good administration of the city and upheld justice in the name of the king from the early 14th century. It was previously the provost who was responsible for this role, on behalf of the Viscount of Limoges, and on the basis of his seigniorial authority. However, following the power struggles between the Viscount of Limoges and the canons of the Collegiate Church, King Philip IV the Fair sided with the latter. In 1307, he established a paréage contract with them, through which he entrusted the responsibility for justice to a royal officer, the viguier, who was chosen by the king and the chapter. Seigniorial authority had therefore yielded to royal power.
This house appears to have been mainly built in the 16th century, but it also includes older elements, such as a medieval covered porch entrance with a corbel arch storey on the eastern façade.
The viguier was the king’s representative in the area. He ensured the good administration of the city and upheld justice in the name of the king from the early 14th century. It was previously the provost who was responsible for this role, on behalf of the Viscount of Limoges, and on the basis of his seigniorial authority. However, following the power struggles between the Viscount of Limoges and the canons of the Collegiate Church, King Philip IV the Fair sided with the latter. In 1307, he established a paréage contract with them, through which he entrusted the responsibility for justice to a royal officer, the viguier, who was chosen by the king and the chapter. Seigniorial authority had therefore yielded to royal power.
This house appears to have been mainly built in the 16th century, but it also includes older elements, such as a medieval covered porch entrance with a corbel arch storey on the eastern façade.
This ancient home of the cathedral chapter is now home to the Saint-Yrieix House of Heritage. This cultural organisation dedicated to Saint-Yrieix’s porcelain heritage is presented here.
Kaolin, the clay crucial to the production of porcelain, is how the town of Saint-Yrieix made its wealth. Learn about this white gold, from its discovery and extraction to its use in the local area, especially in the Marcognac quarries, which are now classed as Monuments Historiques.
With this audio guide, pause for a few moments to look at the houses that line the Rue des Barris and watch over the commercial hustle and bustle of this street and this quarter, which developed in the area outside the fortified wall.
You are at the entrance to the Place de la Nation, an important centre of Saint-Yrieix life that has had many roles over the centuries. Listen to its story and admire the private mansions surrounding the square.
A tramway once ran through this intersection. What was its destination ?
This tramway covered 33 km, connecting Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche and Thiviers, in Dordogne. In 1912, this small steam train, nicknamed Tacot (French for “old banger”) for its snail’s pace and deafening noise, was put into operation. It was operated by the Société des tramways de Dordogne (Dordogne Tramway Company) and was used to transport both passengers and goods, such as the Saint-Paul quartz that was used to make porcelain in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. Although it contributed to social and economic development in the area at the start of the 20th century, this means of transport very soon had competition from motor vehicles and it was put out of commission after a short lifespan in 1934.
This tramway covered 33 km, connecting Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche and Thiviers, in Dordogne. In 1912, this small steam train, nicknamed Tacot (French for “old banger”) for its snail’s pace and deafening noise, was put into operation. It was operated by the Société des tramways de Dordogne (Dordogne Tramway Company) and was used to transport both passengers and goods, such as the Saint-Paul quartz that was used to make porcelain in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. Although it contributed to social and economic development in the area at the start of the 20th century, this means of transport very soon had competition from motor vehicles and it was put out of commission after a short lifespan in 1934.
This tramway covered 33 km, connecting Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche and Thiviers, in Dordogne. In 1912, this small steam train, nicknamed Tacot (French for “old banger”) for its snail’s pace and deafening noise, was put into operation. It was operated by the Société des tramways de Dordogne (Dordogne Tramway Company) and was used to transport both passengers and goods, such as the Saint-Paul quartz that was used to make porcelain in Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche. Although it contributed to social and economic development in the area at the start of the 20th century, this means of transport very soon had competition from motor vehicles and it was put out of commission after a short lifespan in 1934.
The Saint-Yrieix war memorial honours the names of soldiers from the municipality who were killed in action or died from their injuries, 316 of whom fought in the First World War, 28 in the Second World War and 6 in the Algerian War.
This bronze sculpture represents the victorious French Republic. It is a rare exception in Limousin, where war memorials more often depict statues of sorrowful women in tears mourning the deceased. In order to fund a memorial of this size, the municipality decided in 1918 to launch a public subscription to “bring the population together in this act of thankfulness”. The subscription brought in 9,000 francs out of the total 44,000 francs that the project cost. The Limoges sculptor Pollachi was chosen, and his proposal was by far the most extravagant and expensive.
The Saint-Yrieix war memorial honours the names of soldiers from the municipality who were killed in action or died from their injuries, 316 of whom fought in the First World War, 28 in the Second World War and 6 in the Algerian War.
This bronze sculpture represents the victorious French Republic. It is a rare exception in Limousin, where war memorials more often depict statues of sorrowful women in tears mourning the deceased. In order to fund a memorial of this size, the municipality decided in 1918 to launch a public subscription to “bring the population together in this act of thankfulness”. The subscription brought in 9,000 francs out of the total 44,000 francs that the project cost. The Limoges sculptor Pollachi was chosen, and his proposal was by far the most extravagant and expensive.
The Saint-Yrieix war memorial honours the names of soldiers from the municipality who were killed in action or died from their injuries, 316 of whom fought in the First World War, 28 in the Second World War and 6 in the Algerian War.
This bronze sculpture represents the victorious French Republic. It is a rare exception in Limousin, where war memorials more often depict statues of sorrowful women in tears mourning the deceased. In order to fund a memorial of this size, the municipality decided in 1918 to launch a public subscription to “bring the population together in this act of thankfulness”. The subscription brought in 9,000 francs out of the total 44,000 francs that the project cost. The Limoges sculptor Pollachi was chosen, and his proposal was by far the most extravagant and expensive.
For what purpose were these old public baths converted after being closed for 30 years?
For what purpose were these old public baths converted after being closed for 30 years?
After being closed in 1984, the Saint-Yrieix public baths had the unusual fate of becoming home to a citizen-run and local radio station called Radio Kaolin, today situated near the collegiate church.
Opened in 1938, the public baths were part of a city planning and development programme to respond to new ideas for urban living. The creation of this facility was inspired by the social hygiene movement, reserved for Saint-Yrieix residents only, and it had about ten shower cubicles. However, the public baths were closed in spring 1949 because of failing water and sewage networks in the town, so they were given a new role.
After being closed in 1984, the Saint-Yrieix public baths had the unusual fate of becoming home to a citizen-run and local radio station called Radio Kaolin, today situated near the collegiate church.
Opened in 1938, the public baths were part of a city planning and development programme to respond to new ideas for urban living. The creation of this facility was inspired by the social hygiene movement, reserved for Saint-Yrieix residents only, and it had about ten shower cubicles. However, the public baths were closed in spring 1949 because of failing water and sewage networks in the town, so they were given a new role.
After being closed in 1984, the Saint-Yrieix public baths had the unusual fate of becoming home to a citizen-run and local radio station called Radio Kaolin, today situated near the collegiate church.
Opened in 1938, the public baths were part of a city planning and development programme to respond to new ideas for urban living. The creation of this facility was inspired by the social hygiene movement, reserved for Saint-Yrieix residents only, and it had about ten shower cubicles. However, the public baths were closed in spring 1949 because of failing water and sewage networks in the town, so they were given a new role.
The Jean-Pierre Fabrègue Cultural Centre was built in 1994 and is classed as Architecture Contemporaine Remarquable (Remarkable Contemporary Architecture). In this video, discover this building and the priceless treasure that it houses: the Saint-Yrieix Bible, a 12th-century work with magnificent illumination.
We’re ending this tour of Saint-Yrieix on a musical note. In this interview, Gaëtan Polteau and Jean-Marc Delaunay introduce you to the mirrored chabrette, the traditional instrument of Limousin and Périgord, as Saint-Yrieix was one of the places where the instrument was produced.
