Eglise Saint Martin

Romanesque fortress-church with row of domes. Rectangle vaulted with four domes on pendentives from the 12th century (M.H).

The church of Cherval is, along with that of Trémolat, the last Romanesque church in Périgord to benefit from a single nave and four domes in a row. This justified its classification as a Historic Monument in 1913.

The construction of this remarkable church began at the end of the 11th century. It continued in the 12th century with the creation of the row of domes, the technique for which originated in the Middle East. Its bell tower dates from the 17th century and its north chapel from the 18th century.

It is one of the fortified churches which, in the troubled times of the 12th century, was the only building in the village strong enough to withstand attacks, as evidenced by its attics, made up of defensive chambers.