Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Simandre, located in the department of Saône-et-Loire in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, finds its origins in the second half of the 12th century. Although its original Romanesque architecture – notably the apse and the bell tower – was partially preserved, the building underwent major changes in the 19th century. This slender bell tower, with an arrow of stone, is characterized by double-lined bays and arches, decorated with columns on its four sides, reflecting the Burgundian Romanesque style.

Originally a branch of the church of Ormes in the 14th century, it acquired its status as a parish church only in 1709. Today, it falls under the Diocese of Autun and the parish of Saint John XXIII, while remaining an active Catholic place of worship. Its partial listing in 1951 (clocher and apse) underscores its heritage value, although its precise location is considered poor (level 5/10) according to the databases.

Historical sources, such as the works of Gabriel Jeanton (1914), highlight the close links between the Romanesque churches of Ormes and Simandre. The property of the building now belongs to the municipality, and its current use combines religious worship and architectural heritage, illustrating the sustainability of these medieval monuments in local life.

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