Église Notre-Dame de la Charité-sur-Loire

Église Notre-Dame de La Charité-sur-Loire is a Benedictine priory located in Nièvre, founded in 1059 with a charter dating back to 1059. Although it is known as Caritate in 1070, it was part of the diocese of Auxerre. Undergoing modifications in the 12th century, the church is renowned for its western facade with two tympanums, making it an important example of Romanesque church architecture. It was one of the five principal priories of the Cluny abbey, known as its ‘daughters elder’, located in Burgundy.

Although the monastery was not completed in 1059, construction began in 1052 under Prior Gérard of Cluny, with the donation of lands by William I, Count of Nevers. Archaeological research in 2015 revealed that there may have been existing buildings on the site Sainte-Croix before the construction of the priory, and a potential monastic settlement named Seyr built around 700, which was destroyed during Viking raids in the 9th century.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons