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Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-sur-l'Eau, located in Verneuil-en-Bourbonnais in the department of Allier (region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is a Romanesque religious building probably built in the 11th century. It was originally characterized by a nave with lateral walls reinforced by arcatures, to which was later added a vaulted lower side in quarter-circle south side. Some vestiges of murals still remain today, while contemporary stained glass windows, by Bernard Guth, bring a colourful light inside.

After the French Revolution, the church lost its cult function and was used as a barn, causing a significant deterioration of its structure. It was not until 1965, after its acquisition by the Société des amis du Vieux Verneuil, that it was restored and converted into an exhibition space. The works allowed to preserve the most significant architectural elements, although only the remains of the old church were officially protected by a decree of 13 February 1928, listing it as historical monuments.

The building thus illustrates the transformations suffered by many rural places of worship in France: post-revolutionary de-acralization, utilitarian reallocation, and then rediscovered heritage in the 20th century. Its history also reflects local community involvement in safeguarding a modest but emblematic Romanesque heritage of Bourbonnais. The artistic traces (paintings, stained glass) and architectural traces (archatures, vaults) bear witness to medieval religious art in this region.

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