Notre-Dame-de-la-Daurade church is one of the two churches of the small historic town of Tarascon-sur-Ariège, 16 km south of Foix.
It was built in the sixteenth century on the basis of a first building of the eleventh. It derives its astonishing name from a golden statue adorning one of its inner chapels.
Shortly after its construction, the church suffered extensive damage during the wars of Religion, especially in 1568, and it was even dedicated to Protestant worship until 1599.
In the eighteenth century, it is finally restored: the old transepts are included in the choir, which is covered with a cross of ogives. Note also the trapezoidal plan and the buttresses of the nave, only interior. As for the portal, it is remodeled to imitate the models of the Middle Ages (double voussure).
In terms of furniture, a gilded altarpiece at the choir framing paintings of the Toulouse school of the eighteenth century. In addition, Louis XIII style benches have been preserved.
The church is also paneled in walnut. The building has been protected as historical monuments since 1990. However, in 2016, during restoration works, blue-white-red wallpapers were discovered, dating from the Revolution, when the church was a time transformed into "temple of Reason". They were then hidden by paintings composing an altarpiece. It is a discovery considered unique.
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