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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Blancey, located in the upper part of the village in Côte-d'Or, is a building built in the 12th century and profoundly redesigned in the 15th century. It is distinguished by its location on a sloped land, bordered to the north by an alley and to the south by the cemetery. Its portal, preceded by seven steps, features a lintel adorned with an arch in a braid, topped by a window with a trilobed emplacement. The nave, covered with a false vault in a full-circle cradle, is lit by windows in segmental arches, while the forearm and the choir, vaulted in a broken cradle, reveal diaphragm arches and traces of walled bays.

The tower of the bell tower, pierced by twined bays in the middle, is crowned with a three-stranded snout arrow flanked by pyramid bell towers. The 15th century modifications, visible in the openings of the façade and the choir window, contrast with the original Romanesque elements. An engraved date (1722) on the north bay of the bell tower attests to a restoration, including the repair of the columns and bell towers. In the 19th century, the sacristy was rebuilt in 1865, and the bell tower arrow, repaired in 1885, completed the major changes of the building.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 3 June 1927, the church illustrates medieval architectural evolution in Burgundy. Its decorative details, such as the modillons of the cornice or the supposed sink in the choir, testify to its liturgical and community use. The mix of styles, between primitive and late Gothic novels, makes it a representative example of Burgundy's rural religious heritage.

The location of the church, along the street and integrated into the village fabric, underscores its central role in local life. Its designated cemetery and elevated position reinforce its status as a memorial and gathering place. The materials used, such as the flat stone for the choir or the mechanical tile for the nave, reflect the regional resources and know-how, typical of Burgundy constructions of the 12th–15th centuries.

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