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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens de Banne is a Catholic building located in the village of Banne, in Ardèche. Its history dates back to at least the twelfth century, although the exact date of construction of the original Romanesque church remains unknown. The first document attesting to its existence dates from 1181, referring to the abandonment of Arnaud de Banne's rights in this place of worship.

In 1186 the church and its parish passed under the order of the Temple and the command of Jalès, marking a period of Templar influence. The original Romanesque building was gradually modified: two lateral naves were added in 1650, extending the church 18 steps wide for 12 steps long. The adjoining cemetery, located in front of the church, was disused in 1835 to give way to the present public square.

Between 1860 and 1867, a major reconstruction transformed the church into a neo-Gothic style, retaining only three rows of stone from the Romanesque façade and the two side walls. The original vaults and pillars were demolished. The current building, consecrated on October 6, 1867, is 35 metres long for 17 metres wide, with a nave 15 metres high. This site marked the definitive transition to Gothic architecture visible today.

The church thus embodies nearly nine centuries of religious and architectural history, mixing Romanesque heritage, Templar influence and modern reconstruction. Its evolution reflects the cultural and spiritual transformations of the region, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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