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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Hilaire de Challement, located in the Nièvre department, is a remarkable example of 16th century flamboyant Gothic architecture. It was built to replace an earlier church dedicated to Saints Como and Damien, destroyed by fire in the 15th century. The current building, dedicated to Saint Hilaire in 1538, is distinguished by its porch and openwork tympanum, characteristic of the style of the period.

In 1563, during the wars of Religion, the church suffered degradation from Protestants, which explains why the statues of the porch were probably after this event. Despite these vicissitudes, the building retains major architectural elements, such as its 16th century tympanum. The interior, however, is not accessible to the visit.

Classified as historical monuments by order of 2 September 1907, Saint-Hilaire Church is now owned by the commune of Challement. Its state of conservation and its style make it an important witness to the religious heritage of Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Available sources, such as Jacques Esterle (1967), highlight his archaeological and historical interest.

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