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Origin and history

The church Saint-Valérien de Chitry, located in the Yonne department in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is dedicated to Saint Valérien, 3rd bishop of Auxerre dead in 360. It depends on the Archdiocese of Sens-Auxerre and dates back at least to the sixth century, when Saint Aunaire, bishop of Auxerre, raised it to the rank of main church for monthly prayers. Its ancient existence is attested by relics and medieval architecture, reflecting its historical importance in the diocese.

The present structure dates mainly from the thirteenth century, with a narrow nave characteristic of this period. In the 14th century, a lower side was added to the choir, and the church was fortified with four towers surrounded by a ditch, two of which remain today: a circular dungeon topped with mâchicoulis and a square tower bent. These defensive arrangements, typical of fortified churches, earned him the suffix le Fort in the name of the commune, Chitry-le-Fort.

The bell tower, with a square tower, houses several historic bells. The oldest, Valerian (1,500 kg), broke down in 1914 and was recast in 1937. A second bell, Jeanne, and two small bells nicknamed Ding-Dong, were damaged by a fire caused by lightning in 1941. The bells were restored until 1968, when the bells were electrified. The building also preserves an arch of wood, a medieval piece of furniture that has housed parish and community documents since the 14th century, including archives on the fortification of the church during the Hundred Years War.

Classified as a historical monument in 1905, the church illustrates Burgundy's defensive religious architecture. Its history combines spiritual heritage, with the relics of Saint Valerian, and material heritage, through its medieval transformations and emblematic bells. The archives of the ark, now missing, showed its central role in local community and religious life since the Middle Ages.

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