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 Jeff Steiner's Americans in France.Resource for people that would like to live or travel in France. |
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Southern Burgundy Romanesque ChurchesUchizy Saint-Pierre
The village church of Uchizy - Saint-Pierre can be seen from miles around thanks to its exceptionally tall bell tower. Construction of Saint-Pierre started in the middle of the 11th century. In the 14th century Saint-Pierre was lengthened as monk housing was built on to the west end and the main entrance closed off. Saint-Pierre is now entered through either the south or north side each has a small porch. The bell tower was once used for defensive purposes; an extra level was added that served as a lookout. The monk housing is still standing but is a private and not viewable.
Saint-Pierre has traits typical of Romanesque churches in the region, three naves, half-barrel vaulting supports the ceiling and its well proportioned even the tall bell tower doesn’t look out of place.
Just to be different the builders added some individuality to Saint-Pierre, it has a very high ceiling and its bell tower has four levels each with a different layout and window size.
Saint-Pierre was once part of a priory built by Saint-Philibert Abbey in neighboring Tournus that consisted of the church, monk housing and what is now a chateau, burned by revolutionaries in 1789 but still standing. At one time the south side entrance of Saint-Pierre opened into a courtyard.
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