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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Albain Church, located in the commune of Saint-Albain in Saône-et-Loire (Burgogne-Franche-Comté), is a religious building built between 1242 and 1245. It represents a remarkable example of an architectural transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles, built with a single jet under the direction of Hugues de Mirebel, canon of Saint Vincent de Mâcon Cathedral. Its architecture, including its polygonal bedside and octagonal bell tower, blends elements of the two artistic currents.

Ranked a historic monument since 1929, the church was reported in 1912 by the Macon Academy as a priority building to protect. Its structure, built entirely in small stoneware and covered with lauze, includes a dovecote built into a blind tower, equipped with more than 300 nicher bolts. This detail, like its 26 preserved original bays, makes it a rare testimony of local medieval art.

The church once belonged to the Saint Vincent Chapter of Mâcon and replaces an earlier building that is unknown. Today, it is part of the parish of Notre-Dame-des-Coteaux-en-Mâconnais, with its headquarters in Lugny, and remains an active Catholic place of worship. Its exceptional state of conservation, close to its original appearance, and its hybrid architecture make it a unique heritage in the region.

The ogival gate of the western facade, surmounted by a geminied bay, and the frieze of trilobed arches of the bell tower illustrate its gothic character. These elements, combined with Romanesque techniques such as the vittatum, underline the stylistic duality of the building. The low roof of the bell tower and the massive buttresses of the bedside reinforce its architectural originality.

The protection of the church was initiated by a request from the Academy of Macon in 1912, which had identified 12 priority monuments in the district, including Saint-Albain at the top of the list. The official classification in 1929 made it possible to preserve this building, now considered a jewel of the Burgundian medieval heritage.

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