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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Vigor de Cheux Church, located in the Calvados department in Normandy, is a Catholic building dedicated to Vigor de Bayeux. It is distinguished by its architecture combining 12th century Romanesque elements and later modifications. The choir, transept and side chapels, including the one from the preserved north, illustrate this original style. The columns decorated with zigzags and the superimposed windows bear witness to this medieval period.

In the 15th century, the southern chapel was rebuilt and then profoundly modified after destruction, especially during the Second World War. The 19th-century restorations, such as the wooden vault of the nave (circa 1860) and the post-1944 restorations, incorporated new elements, such as the apse pillars rebuilt after excavations. The square tower, once surmounted by a slate pyramid, now boasts a four-paned tile roof.

Ranked a historic monument since 30 July 1910, the church preserves remarkable remains, including two carved arch keys: one representing Saint Vigor taming monsters symbolizing paganism, the other illustrating a legend of Saint Nicholas. These elements, recovered from the ruins, highlight its rich artistic and religious past.

The building, owned by the commune of Cheux (now integrated with Thue and Mue), reflects the architectural developments and historical hazards of Normandy. Its location, 10 km west of Caen, makes it a witness to regional transformations, from medieval origins to contemporary reconstructions.

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