An old Romanesque church and chapel
on the St-Jacques-de-Compostella pilgrimage route
on the St-Jacques-de-Compostella pilgrimage route
, NIEVRE
center-val-de-loire
FR
Location
On the borders of the Bourbonnais and Berry regions, where the waters of the Loire joins those of the Allier. This exceptional countryside forms a renowned bird sanctuary where 200 species can be observed during the migration period. Equidistant from the Atlantic Ocean and the Alps, this region is in a temperate zone with a mild climate.
The A77 motorway slip road is nearby and a station puts Paris-Bercy 2 hours away by train. 10 minutes from Burgundy’s third largest town, on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostella medieval pilgrimage route to Spain, still very much in use today.
Description
The property is accessed via a country lane surrounded by extensive grasslands. The slate bell tower, topped with a cockerel, symbol of vigilance, can be seen from afar. The remainder of the roof is covered with flat tiles.
The Romanesque church which dates back to the 12th century is in the commune’s old market town. It was abandoned after the construction of another church which replaced it and resulted in the moving of the village. Its 15th century bell was taken down and installed in the new edifice.
It has been redesigned several times over the centuries.
The current residents have preserved the premises where they have been carrying out works for four years.
The large, walled floor surface areas and the vaults from the Romanesque period easily lent themselves to another transformation: the chapel is now the kitchen, the sacristy a toilet and the nave a reception room.
The land surrounding the church is partially grassland and comprises a small car park.
The Romanesque church which dates back to the 12th century is in the commune’s old market town. It was abandoned after the construction of another church which replaced it and resulted in the moving of the village. Its 15th century bell was taken down and installed in the new edifice.
It has been redesigned several times over the centuries.
The current residents have preserved the premises where they have been carrying out works for four years.
The large, walled floor surface areas and the vaults from the Romanesque period easily lent themselves to another transformation: the chapel is now the kitchen, the sacristy a toilet and the nave a reception room.
The land surrounding the church is partially grassland and comprises a small car park.
The church
The facade of the edifice is flanked by two buttresses. It spans a floor surface area of approx. 84 m².
The church has three entrances, one of which passes between columns with capitals adorned with acanthus leaves.
The arch moulding of the tympanum with its perfect semi-circle reflects the canopy of heaven. It is decorated with a scene showing a young woman giving alms.
Limestone tiles cover the floor; the nave comprising three bays is illuminated by high windows.
It is connected to the chapel’s choir via a Gothic arcade.
A stairway leads up to a gallery, featuring an oak wood balustrade and spanning approx. 9 m².
In addition to its pulpit and its shell-shaped font, the church is decorated with coats-of-arms and a superb sculpted cross.
The chapel
Accessed via the outside and opening into the kitchen, the lower sections of the chapel walls are covered with wainscoting, installed by a craftsman.
The open-plan kitchen has a cold room.
The chapel’s choir still has its vaulted ceiling and the remains of murals can be seen on the edifice’s flat apse.
Opposite, the sacristy is now in use as a toilet and a storage room.
Two 16th century epitaphs inscribed in the floor and another in the nave probably come from a neighbouring edifice.
It spans a floor surface area of approx. 76 m².
Our opinion
Ideal for an artist or a craftsman or even for putting on shows, this luminous property in its green haven is very peaceful.
The kitchen has been given a central position and is extremely convivial. Yet another reason for continuing with the conversion works that have been already carried out and for boldly imagining new living areas.
Reference 472832
| Land registry surface area | 468 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 1 |
| Main building surface area | 160 m2 |
Share
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
