The Priory of Redon-Espic is located in the municipality of Castels et Bézenac, in the Dordogne, 17 km west of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
The building is precisely located at the end of a green valley that dominates, at a place called Vieux-Castel.
It is a church built in the 13th century linked to the monastery of Saint-Cyprien. Then dedicated to Saint-Clair, it is placed under the protection of the lords of Beynac in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its parish status was abolished in 1809 and gradually became a simple chapel, it falls into ruins.
It was not until it was added to the supplementary inventory of historical monuments in 1965 that the town and an association initiated restoration work.
Campaigns are still ongoing, funded in particular by the organization of concerts or flea markets in spring and autumn.
Architecturally, the church has a nave and choir ending in a polygonal chevet. The choir opens under a broken triumphal arch with two reels. This bow falls on each side on columns with carved capitals, representing winged monsters. The vaulted choir in the end of the oven has seven arches supported by small columns with capitals decorated with foliage.
Guided tour in July and August. Information on +33 5 53 29 21 03.
