Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais church of Pithiviers-le-Viel has a complex structure, marked by construction phases from the 12th to the 15th centuries. Its bell tower, positioned in the axis of the nave, occupies a part of the transept and rests on four pillars connected by arches in the middle of the hang (nef side and choir) and arches in the warhead (coast side). The belfry, made of stone, is surmounted by a two-water roof. The croisillons, arched in warhead, frame a choir with arched stone vaults, while the nave, of the twelfth century, has an apparent wooden frame in the shape of a cradle. The side windows, opened in the 13th century, and a cornice with Romanesque modillons adorn the exterior.

The apse, dated the 13th century, saw its veins redone in the 15th century, as did the two spans adjacent to that of the bell tower, which house an external side door. The bell tower, of Romanesque origin, was rebuilt in 1231 and then in 1647 after a fire, while the choir, rebuilt in 1236 by Guy de Bougy, was modified in the 15th century. The nave, pierced by 13th century openings, preserves remains of bays of the 11th or 12th centuries. A 13th-century window in the west gable replaces an old bay in the middle of the hanger, whose upper headband remains. The door under the porch, typical of the thirteenth century, completes this architectural ensemble.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 6 March 1928, this church belongs to the municipality of Pithiviers-le-Vieil. Its history reflects medieval stylistic evolutions, from Romanesque art to Gothic additions, reconstructions linked to fires or reshuffles. The protected elements include the bell tower, the choir and the nave, illustrating the superimposition of times and construction techniques. The location, although documented (8 Place de l'Église), remains of an accuracy deemed a priori satisfactory (level 7/10).

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