ChurchNièvre
Prieuré Notre-Dame de La Charité-sur-Loire
La Charité-sur-Loire
Dimensions
in the Middle Ages, the second-largest church in France after Cluny III
Period
Founded in 1059, church consecrated in 1107, east end and radiating chapels remodelled in the 12th century (carved tympanums 1130–1135)
What stands there
Cluniac priory listed as a monument historique in 1840; inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela
A masterpiece of Cluniac Romanesque art, this priory was the most important dependency of the abbey of Cluny, to the point of being nicknamed the "eldest daughter of Cluny". Its facade preserves two carved 12th-century tympanums, one depicting the Transfiguration, the other inspired by the Old Testament. A stage on the Vézelay route to Compostela, it has been inscribed on this account on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998.
Getting there : Free admission to the church; priory under restoration
Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.
Ambient sound
Nearby
- Le Colosse du NivernaisVenerable tree · Vielmanay · 12 km
- Sanctuaire Sainte-Bernadette (couvent Saint-Gildard)Chapel · Nevers · 23 km
- Cathédrale Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte de NeversCathedral · Nevers · 24 km
- Commanderie de VillemoisonTemplar site · Saint-Père · 26 km
- Commanderie de Jussy-le-ChaudrierTemplar site · Jussy-le-Chaudrier · 27 km
- Église Sainte-Solange et Champ du MartyreChurch · Sainte-Solange · 36 km
This place in the great stories
- The Ways of St James: from the tomb in Galicia to the four routes of FranceTomb recognised c. 820-830; first known pilgrim (Godescalc of Le Puy) in 950-951; Book of…
- Cluny: the order that covered Europe before CîteauxFoundation charter of 11 September 909 or 910; height under Odilo (994-1049), Hugh of…
- Joan of Arc, from Domrémy to the pyre at Rouen1412-1456
In the same department
All places — Nièvre (12).