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Origin and history

The church Saint-Aignan is located at the limit of the communes of Meilly-sur-Rouvres and Rouvres-sous-Meilly, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Its architecture combines elements of the late 12th or early 13th century (primitive nave, portal and octagonal stone arrow bell tower) with Gothic additions of the 15th century. The western facade, dominated by the bell tower, features a broken arched portal topped by a tympanal window, while the interior includes a four-span nave, side-ends and a polygonal apse choir.

The original nave and bell tower date from the late 12th or early 13th century. The choir and the two posterior spans of the nave were built in the last quarter of the 15th century, with a consecration attested on 27 June 1485. Major work took place in 1770 (strengthening of the foothills, repair of the covers) and in 1824 (repair of the arrow damaged by lightning).

In the 19th century, the church, considered too small and in poor condition, was the subject of several plans to expand. Between 1859 and 1862, the architect of Dijon, H. Degré, supervised the demolition of the anterior nave, porch and bell tower, to reconstruct two spans flanked by the lower side, the bell tower and its octagonal arrow. Repairs were still needed in 1878 after damage caused by a storm, with the intervention of the sculptor Schanosky for the summital flagship.

The building, a common property of the two villages since at least the eighteenth century, has been listed as Historic Monument since June 3, 1927. Its architecture thus reflects almost seven centuries of history, between medieval heritage and modern transformations.

The interior structure is marked by arches of warheads resting on engaged columns or caps, depending on the parts. The central vessel and the choir are covered with a long-paned roof, while the lower side and sacristy have appentied roofs. A slope break in the south indicates the distinction between the old parts and the 19th century additions.

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