Southern Burgundy Romanesque ChurchesChapaize Saint Martin

The village church of Chapaize - Saint Martin can be seen from miles around thanks to its high bell tower. This Romanesque church was built in stages starting in the early 10th century, it’s thought about 1030 and finished in the 11th. It was during the 10th century that the bell tower and most of the body of the church were built. This makes Saint Martin one of the first (and oldest) Romanesque churches of the region.

It is possible to notice the fact that Saint Martin was built in phases; different types of stones were used at different times during the construction. Inside particularity near the crossing, there is a line on the wall formed from different color blocs used at different building periods. This is under the bell tower, to the left.

As is often the case with churches in France Saint Martin is surrounded by a cemetery. This includes the village’s monument to its war dead. The cemetery is then bounded by a wall.

The church bell tower is unexceptionally high for the church's overall size. Most other Romanesque churches in the region don’t have such an out of proportion bell tower. The bell tower is built in the Lombard style (as is Saint-Philibert Abbey in Tournus) and has two levels of windows. Lombard style means that Saint Martin’s bell tower has long indentations that act as decoration.

There is another Romanesque church in the village in hamlet of Lancharre.

A restaurant is directly across from Saint Martin so try to visit during lunch or dinner time and take in Burgundy at its best, great food and architecture! There is also a near by B&B.

Photos of Chapaize Saint Martin.