Mentioned for the first time in 1110 under the name of Capellanus Sancti Marcelli, a priory town was established at Saint-Marcel.

The current church which dates from the 11th century was probably constructed on the site of one or several previous sanctuaries. The crypt, built - or rebuilt - between the 8th and 9th centuries to house the tomb of Saint-Marcel, consitutes the oldest architectural element.

The second population centre developed on the other bank of the Creuse around a fortress. This château of Argenton is first cited in writings dating from the 8th century during conflicts between Pepin the Short, king of France, and Vaïfre, duke of Aquitaine.

Between the priory town of Saint-Marcel and the lordly town of Argenton, a third population core, the Saint-Etienne district, developed on the right bank of the Creuse.