Southern Burgundy Romanesque ChurchesBissy-sur-Fley

The Romanesque church at Bissy-sur-Fley was built sometime during the late 11th century. The church is somewhat unique in that the bell tower, when looking from the side sits almost in the middle of the structure. This is because the apse was either rebuilt or enlarged during the 12th century. So much so that it is almost as long as the nave.

It is possible to visit inside the church. The inside is simple and painted white, has a few statues along with wooden benches. The most interesting feature of the church are the Lombard bands on the facade. They are somewhat covered by a porch, but can still be admired nevertheless. The Lombard bands are about the only decorative features on the church.

The church is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and is in the heart of the village over looking the burgundy countryside. Near the church is the 16th century Château Pontus de Tyard. Pontus de Tyard was a Renaissance poet and Bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône born at the Château.

When I visited I couldn’t go inside the Château but I was able to walk around the grounds. There is a map of the village inside the church.

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