Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Sainte-Madeleine in Peronne, mentioned as early as 938 in a document, preserves from this early period only its western facade. The current building was probably rebuilt between 1080 and 1120, with a nave, bell tower and a Romanesque apse. This first work campaign marks the basic structure, still visible today in its simple plan: a single nave extended by a span under a bell tower and an apse forming the choir.

Over the centuries, the church underwent several architectural changes. In the 16th century, a porch with awning was added to the west façade, while in 1786 a sacristy was built. The French Revolution marked a turning point: on 21 May 1799 (2 prairial year VII), the church was sold as national property to Étienne Tête for 900 francs. It was purchased in 1824 by local families before being transferred to the municipality the following year, thus regaining its communal vocation.

The 19th century saw important works: in 1847, the porch and bell tower were rebuilt and then enhanced in 1877. The roof of the nave, covered with lava, was rebuilt in 1931. The church was partially classified as historical monuments as early as 1927 (Romanesque sculpture) and 1946 (abside), before a total inscription in 2018. Its movable heritage includes a bell of 1,035 kg melted in 1872 by Burdin Elder, as well as carved lintels of Eastern or Celtic influence, re-used on the southern facade.

The building, owned by the commune of Peronne (Saône-et-Loire), remains an active Catholic place of worship, attached to the parish of Notre-Dame-des-Coteaux-en-Mâconnais. Its architecture thus blends Romanesque heritage – visible in the apse with columnettes and the bays in the middle of the hangar – and later additions, reflecting almost a millennium of religious and community history.

Among the remarkable elements are a stone cross dated 1768, vestige of the old adjoining cemetery, as well as animal sculptures on a lintel, perhaps stylized lions framing a tree. These details, together with the massive structure of the three-storey bell tower, illustrate the rich heritage of this Burgundy rural monument.

External links