In Saintonge-Romanesque style, the abbey of Sauve-Majeur was founded by the Benedictine Gerard de Corbie (the future St Gerard) in 1079. It became a powerful feudal powerbase and established numerous priories as far afield as Spain and England. Monas..

The austere façade is completed by a wall-mounted bell structure and punctuated with projecting buttresses. The flat chevet is pierced by three openings, beside which are four 13C statues (on the exterior). They represent St Michael, St James, St Pet..