Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais, located in Onzain (Veuzain-sur-Loire), finds its origins in the 11th century under the patronage of the Abbey of Marmoutier. It was entirely rebuilt from the end of the 15th century in two phases: the choir, the apse and the lateral chapels in a flamboyant Gothic style, then the nave, the lower side and the bell tower in a Renaissance style around 1530. The coat of arms of Jean de Polignac and Jeanne de Chambes, lords of Onzain from 1499 onwards, adorn the vault key of the northern chapel.

In 1661 François de Rostaing and Anne-Marie d'Urre d'Aiguebonne commissioned a large stone altarpiece, carved by Gaspard Imbert, adorned with a painting inspired by Dürer and statues of the patron saints. This altarpiece was destroyed during the restorations of 1872-1874, where the brick vaults were finally completed and the choir remodelled in a neo-Gothic style. Only the statues were preserved.

The northwestern part, including the main gate, was rebuilt in 1701 for unknown reasons. In the 19th century, lack of maintenance imposed a major restoration between 1872 and 1874, with the addition of brick vaults and the reopening of the absidial window. A last restoration campaign in 1990 removed some 19th century additions to restore the original aspect of the monument.

The southern side portal, dated from the mid-16th century, is distinguished by its arabesques and decorative motifs (rais, hearts, oves). Three baluster niches surmount his pediment. The church, classified as a historical monument in 1928, illustrates the architectural evolution between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in the region.

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