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Origin and history

The church Saint-Martin de Charmoy, located in the department of Saône-et-Loire in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a religious building built mainly in the 3rd quarter of the 12th century. It embodies the Romanesque style, with older elements such as its 11th century apse, which presents an archaic aspect. The Clunisian monks of Mesvres, close to an ancient fountain, are at the origin of its construction. The nave was rebuilt around 1850, marking a partial modernization of the building.

The Romanesque bell tower, dating from the 12th century, is a centrepiece of the church. He was wearing a rare wood heaving, rising above the choir and was home to two bells: one of 700 kg (recast in 1810), the other of 320 kg (acquired in 1895 by public subscription). The choir, vaulted in edge, and l-abside, both polygonal on the outside and hemicircular on the inside, house capitals carved of disproportionate characters. Two Gothic seigneurial chapels, dedicated to Saint Claude and the Virgin Mary, were added on the north side.

The church retains remarkable furniture, including a Vision of Saint Hubert (polychrome wood sculpture of the 16th century) and painted woodwork of 1726 representing Marian episodes. Several statues (Saint Peter, Saint Antoine Abbé, a holy bishop) have been protected since 2022. The church and the bell tower have been listed as Historic Monuments since 1971. Today, the building is part of the Diocese of Autun and remains an active Catholic place of worship, integrated into the parish of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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