Midway between Bourges and Déols on the Limoges road to Compostela, pilgrims reached the crossing of the river Arnon.
On the other side of the river they were cared for by the Benedictine monks of the priory of Saint Michel in the small hamlet of Charost.
From the eleventh century Charost was protected by a fortified castle which stood just beyond the town walls which were entered by three gates.
The priory of Saint Michel de Charost was a dependency of the abbey of Notre-Dame d’Issoudun.
The massive church, still standing today is evidence of the large monastic community which existed during the twelfth century, evidence of its strategic position and attested to by a papal bull of 1154 in which Pope Adrian II mentions the priory by name.
The striking reddish appearance of the church is due to the use of limestone containing ferrous oxide.
The southern porch of the church features a carved tympanum. It depicts Christ in Majesty seated within a mandorla and surrounded by the Four Living Beasts of Revelation.