First mention of a chapel 984 (≈ 984)
Chapelle Saint-Pierre attested in writing.
XIe siècle (seconde moitié)
Construction of the current chapel
Construction of the current chapel XIe siècle (seconde moitié) (≈ 1150)
Replaces the 10th century building.
27 septembre 1948
First partial protection
First partial protection 27 septembre 1948 (≈ 1948)
Walls and roofs of the chapel.
31 août 2015
Overall registration of the Dean
Overall registration of the Dean 31 août 2015 (≈ 2015)
Door-to-door extension, house and court.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The ancient chapel (exterior walls and roofs, cradle vault inside) is 1,200 m north-north-east of the village: inscription by decree of 27 September 1948. Regional Heritage and Sites Commission of 9 September 2014. The decree of 31 August 2015 states: "Considering that the Clunisian dean of Bézornay located in Saint-Vincent-des-Prés (Saône-et-Loire), has an interest in history and art sufficient to make it desirable to preserve it because of its historical link with the Abbey of Cluny and the quality of its remains, representative of the organization of the Clunisian dean of the 11th and 13th centuries; The following parts of the dean of Bézornay located in Saint-Vincent-des-Prés (Saône-et-Loire) are included in the title of historic monuments: the chapel and its contiguous extension, the gate tower and the adjoining house to the east, with the exception of its contemporary extension, as well as the vestiges of the courtine, with the exception of the damaged outbuildings and appentis, which are backed up by it and their resting floors under the title of archaeological reserve, situated on Parcels No. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46, shown in the cadastre in section A.
Key figures
Pierre Garrigou Grandchamp - History and Researcher
Studyed Clunisian deans including Bézornay.
Alain Guerreau - Medieval historian
Co-author of studies on Cluny and Bézornay.
Origin and history
The dean of Bézornay, located in Saint-Vincent-des-Prés in Saône-et-Loire, is a former monastic establishment linked to Cluny Abbey. Founded probably in the 11th century, it replaces a first chapel dedicated to Saint Peter, attested as early as 984. This site illustrates the organisation of the Clunisian deans between the 11th and 13th centuries, with a central chapel, a tower and houses, now fragmented between several owners. The chapel, of modest dimensions, preserves a unique nave extended by a semicircular apse, vaulted in cradle and supported by foothills. Its recently restored interior openings and volumes have returned to their original layout, revealing an axial bay framed with windows.
The chapel, classified as a historical monument since 1948 for its walls and roofs, has seen its inscription extended in 2015 to the whole of the dean (door tower, house, remains of courtine and archaeological floors). This ranking highlights its historical interest, linked to Cluny, and architectural, representative of medieval monastic seigneurial residences. A modern extension transformed the chapel into a home, but its medieval structure remains legible, worth the site the regional heritage prize in 2015. The excavations and studies, like those conducted by Pierre Garrigou Grandchamp and Alain Guerreau, confirm his role in the Clunisian federal network.
The current remains, though fragmented, offer a rare testimony of the Clunisian deans in Burgundy. The chapel, initially at the heart of the site, symbolizes the religious and seigneurial life of the Middle Ages, while the foothills and vault in the middle of the wall reflect the constructive techniques of the time. The dean, now partially accessible, retains a major heritage value, both artistic, historical and archaeological, anchored in the landscape of Saône-et-Loire.
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