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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bonneveau Church is a Catholic religious building located in the commune of Bonneveau, in the department of Loir-et-Cher, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Built mainly in the 12th, 16th and 19th centuries, it is distinguished by its architecture combining medieval elements and later modifications, including a partial resumption in 1844 by architect Marganne. The building is characterized by a nave, a square choir and a semicircular apse, with remarkable murals dating from the early 16th century.

The apse and choir, dating from the 12th century, house 16th century frescoes depicting religious scenes, including the Father and the Son accompanied by the Columbus, the four Evangelists, as well as episodes of the life of Saint John the Baptist, such as the Takeoff and Salome presenting his head at Herod. These paintings, made on a starry background and decorated with medallions, illustrate the artistic and spiritual importance of the building. The church was partially classified in 1961 for its paintings and choir, then registered in full in 2008.

The western part of the church was restored or modified in the nineteenth century by architect Marganne in 1844, reflecting the architectural interventions of this period. The monument, owned by the commune, bears witness to centuries of religious and artistic history in the region. Its classification and inscription in historic monuments underline its exceptional heritage value.

The protected elements specifically include walls supporting 16th-century wall paintings in the apse and choir, classified in 1961, while the entire building was inscribed in 2008. These legal protections are intended to preserve the interior decorations and the architectural structure, ensuring the transmission of this heritage to future generations.

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