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Origin and history

The Church of Saint-Cyr d'Issoudun, a French Catholic building, came into being in the 15th century, although traditions evoke an older foundation, attributed to Charlemagne or Charles le Chauve in 850. These legendary accounts suggest that the emperor would have restored a pre-existing church dedicated to Saint Cyr and established a chapter there. However, the first documented historical traces date back to the 1135 fire, which partially destroyed the building, requiring a Romanesque reconstruction. The church, both parish and collegiate, was once again ravaged in 1354 by the English troops of the Black Prince, causing the collapse of six spans.

In the 15th century, between 1446 and 1483, the choir was rebuilt in a monumental Gothic style under the impulse of Jean Coeur, son of Jacques Coeur and archbishop of Bourges. The nave, on the other hand, was only devastated, retaining older elements. In 1651, a new fire, lit by Condé's troops, destroyed the four spans of the nave dating from the 12th century. Before the Revolution, the church had two bell towers: one on the front for the parish, the other on a Romanesque tower supported by massive pillars, housing five bells, including the famous "Gros-Guillaume". These bell towers were destroyed during the Revolution by national volunteers of Corrèze, leaving only one bell intact.

A major reconstruction took place between 1872 and 1907, initiated by Reverend Father Jules Chevalier, founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Issoudun. The nave of origin was replaced by a neo-Gothic nave, flanked by low-sides and lateral chapels, while six spans dating from 1354 to 1400 were preserved. Although planned, a two-arrowed façade project never came into being. In 1932, a new side bell tower was erected by the parish priest Armand Chevalier, housing four bells, including the 16th century survivor. The stained glass windows, especially those of the axial bay representing the life of Saint Cyr (circa 1470), were restored after being damaged by a hurricane in 1810 and protected during the Second World War.

The interior of the church preserves remarkable elements, such as 17th and 18th century cellar benches, belonging to local confraternities or notables, as well as a Carolingian re-used in a wall. The Gothic-style choir features braided doors and carved capes, including one decorated with a griffon. Among the liturgical objects are a 16th century bentier carved of shells. The building, classified as a historic monument in 1930 and registered in 1931, also houses procession sticks from various brotherhoods, demonstrating its central role in the religious and community life of Issoudun.

The church's stained glass windows illustrate its rich artistic heritage. The large axial bay, installed around 1470, is composed of thirty compartments telling the life of Saint Cyr. Damaged by a hurricane in 1810, it was restored in 1937 after being sheltered during World War II. The other eighteen glass windows, made between the 19th and 20th centuries by the Lobin and Florence workshops of Tours, complete this ensemble. These artistic elements, combined with the hybrid architecture of the building, make the Saint-Cyr church a major testimony to the Berry's religious and architectural history.

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