As evidenced by the remains of mosaics and potsherds discovered in the mid-19th century, the church at Lageyrat was most likely built on the site of a Gallo-Roman villa, from which the area undoubtedly derives its name (Lageyrat or Lageyrac, the suffix -ac meaning "estate" in Gallo-Roman times). The church, dedicated to the protomartyr Etienne, was probably founded very early, perhaps as early as the Merovingian period. Although some parts of the building, such as the nave and entrance door,...