ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
Church of very old origin of the XIIIth century located in Coutras, remarkable by many aspects
The ancient church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Coutras dates back to the 13th century and bears witness to the great historical events that have marked the town, from Merovingian times (6th century) to the Wars of Religion. One of the most striking episodes was the Battle of Coutras, which took place on October 20, 1587, pitting the Protestant army of Henri de Navarre, the future Henri IV, against the Catholic army of the Duke of Joyeuse. Legend has it that the entrails of the Duc de Joyeuse, who was killed in the battle, rested in the church. Extensively remodeled in the 19th century, the building retains some remarkable features, such as its original 13th-century cupola, as well as paintings, including a Louis XVI-style pulpit from the Saint-Jean church in Libourne and a large wooden Christ that once belonged to the Faise abbey. All this furniture, the Stations of the Cross dating from 1920 and the church itself have been listed as a Monument Historique since 2011. Discovered in 1981 alongside the church, Merovingian sarcophagi confirm that Coutras was a wealthy and relatively important town at the time. Some twenty burials were uncovered. The sarcophagi, dated between the5th and 7th centuries, can still be seen inside the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church. On the other hand, the precious jewels they revealed are preserved in the Musée d'Aquitaine in Bordeaux. Good to know: a tour map is available from the Coutras information office.
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