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Origin and history

The Saint-Loup de Billom church, located in the Puy-de-Dôme, is a Gothic building whose construction began in 1265 and ended 150 years later. It succeeds a early church of the 10th century, linked to the family of Montboissier, then rebuilt in the 11th century by the Benedictines of Sauxillanges. The current building retains 13th and 14th century elements, such as the west porch and the lower side, although major modifications took place in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In the Middle Ages Billom had four parishes, including Saint-Loup, initially under the influence of the monks of Sauxillanges. In 1094, Pope Urban II ordered his restitution to the Benedictines after an occupation contested by the Canons of Billom. The church was then ceded to the bishop of Clermont around 1121-1122. His history was marked by partial destructions, such as the collapse of the vaults in 1490 during an earthquake, or damage caused by lightning in 1740.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the church underwent several restoration campaigns: reconstruction of the vaults in 1830 with trompe l'oeil painted warheads, addition of a modern bell tower between 1852 and 1854, and regular repairs until the 20th century. Ranked a historic monument in 1983, it is now closed to the public due to problems of structural stability, including the risk of partial collapse of the vault.

The building blends a variety of architectural styles, with archstone walls, a northern andesite portal, and arched or warhead vaults depending on the parts. The lower sides, vaulted with original warhead crosses, present carved capitals and remains of ancient paintings. The bell tower, rebuilt in the 19th century, dominates the whole, while the five-sided apse and lateral apsidioles complete the plan.

Prior to its deconsecration around 1986, Saint-Loup church housed brotherhoods like the Black Penitents, which had been active since the 18th century. Today owned by the municipality of Billom, it occasionally serves as an exhibition hall, although its condition requires consolidation work for a reopening to the public.

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