Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, Charroux

Romanesque and Gothic church in the centre of Charroux (one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, the Most Beautiful Villages of France), rue de l'Horloge. Most of it dates from the mid-12th century: the apse and its two apsidioles (small apses), vaulted with half-domes, and the transept crossing with its rib vault. Of the bell tower and its spire, rebuilt in the late 13th century, only the octagonal storey of the belfry and a stump of spire remain: hence this truncated silhouette. The chapel and the stair turret date from the late 15th century. The church was part of the town's first ring of walls: at the south transept, machicolation corbels from the early 16th century remain. In 1793, the inhabitants opposed the destruction of its bells. Listed as a Monument historique (a protected French heritage site) in 1912. Open every day from 9:00 to 18:00 in 2026, free entry, with a leaflet and an information panel on site. Pair it with a walk around the village.