Prieuré Notre-Dame de La Charité-sur-Loire

Prieuré Notre-Dame de La Charité-sur-Loire is a Benedictine priory located in the Nièvre department, with a foundation charter dating back to 1059 from the donation of an Église Sainte-Marie. Known as Caritate in 1070, it belongs to the diocese of Auxerre. The church underwent modifications in the 12th century and is notably famous for its western facade featuring two tympanums and its chevet with radiating chapels.

The priory was one of the five principal houses of the powerful abbey of Cluny, traditionally called its "daughters elder". Because of this status, it was the second largest church in France, after the church of Cluny III. The priory grew wealthy from numerous donations and possessions from its creation. The current large prioral church was designed to showcase the grandeur and influence of the order through its refined décor.

Construction of the monastery began in 1052 under the prior Dom Gérard de Cluny on lands donated to him. Archaeological research conducted in 2015 on the Sainte-Croix square revealed that buildings may have existed on the site prior to the priory. A monastery named Seyr may have been built there around the year 700 before being destroyed during Viking raids in the 9th century. In 1171, the count of Nevers confirmed the priory's autonomy.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons