L’abbatiale carolingienne de Saint-Philbert-de-Grandlieu. Le chevet et ses aménagements
François Héber-Suffrin|Daniel Prigent|Christian Sapin
The Carolingian abbatial church of Saint-Philbert-de-Grandlieu. chevet and its reworkings At the end nineteenth century, when question arose as to whether restore abbey Saint-Philbert-de-Grandlieu, it was decided build a new parish convert old building into covered market. time, Léon Maître, archivist for lower Loire valley, studied monument, which he dated period on basis text written in ninth century by monk Ermentaire recounting transfer 836 relics St Philibert from Herio (Noirmoutier) Deas (Saint-Philbert-de-Grandlieu), because Viking threat. In Miracula briefly describes placement sarcophagus transept partial reconstruction chevet. excavations made Père de la Croix indicated structure but some his interpretations were immediately contested, notably Maître Robert Lasteyrie. 1960, Pierre Lebouteux close analysis masonry, could not arrive at conclusion concerning date without further excavations. On soundings reading construction 1997, attributed any doubt period. nave, rebuilt eleventh preserves only few earlier elements. Two phases came light. first, probably early concerns foundation works discovered excavations, revealed polygonal apse, enveloped narrow corridor circulation that led small rectangular eastern oratory. second phase, after before 858 (abandonment Deas), enlarged, with deep semicircular raised platform ; underneath confessional crypt Saint cruciform oratory, all are preserved large part. periphery built an important exterior three chapels east end. Radio-carbon dating, architectural terracottas, archaeomagnetic thermoluminescent datings confirm attribution two phases.
Bulletin Monumental