Last modified: 2023-11-18 by olivier touzeau
Keywords: deux-sevres | chatillon-sur-thouet | maison-dieu | ermine | saltire(red) | lion(yellow) |
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Châtillon-sur-Thouet (2,671 inhabitants in 2020; 1,645 ha) is a commune of the Deux-Sèvres department on the river Thouet, to the north of the town of Parthenay, with which it forms a contiguous built-up area.
Olivier Touzeau, 2 February 2022
![[Banner of Saint-Paul]](../images/f/fr-79-p09.gif)
Flag of Maison-Dieu district - Image by Thierry Gilabert, reported by Olivier Touzeau, 2 February 2022
"After the presentation of the flags of the districts of Parthenay, the association Parthenay 2012 and Thierry Gilabert presented to the mayor and the elected officials of Châtillon-sur-Thouet the flag of the district of the Maison-Dieu.
Near Parthenay, the priory of the Madeleine was founded in 1174 by Guillaume IV Larchevêque on his return from Santiago de Compostela. Later, a small chaplaincy and a hall for the poor with a chapel were built. The two buildings together formed the hospital complex of the Maison-Dieu.
The location had been chosen outside the walls of the city in order to avoid the spread of possible epidemics. Coming from Thouars by the Gourgé road, the pilgrims could make a first stop at the Maison-Dieu, they found rest and shelter and thyey could be given care. When the time for prayer came, they continued on their way, in order to collect their thoughts at the nearby Saint-Jacques church before crossing the Saint-Jacques gate and entering the city.
On the flag are the emblematic element of the district which is the ermine appearing on the walls of the chapel. This ermine painting is certainly due to a restoration of the place by Arthur de Richemont. We also find on the flag the cross of Saint-Andrew, to whom the priory was dedicated, and the lion of the arms of Arthur de Richemont. " (source: article, 2012, in La Nouvelle République).
The Maison-Dieu of the village of Châtillon, or Priory of the Madeleine, was located at the entrance to the Faubourg Saint-Jacques district in Parthenay.
The flag of Maison-Dieu district in Châtillon-sur-Thouet is in fact the same as the flag of the Faubourg Saint-Jacques district in Parthenay.
Olivier Touzeau, 2 February 2022