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Origin and history

The church Saints-Pierre-et-Paul de Givry, located in the department of Saône-et-Loire in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, was built between 1772 and 1791 under the direction of engineer Émiland Gauthey. This monument illustrates the neoclassical style, rare in this region dominated by Romanesque architecture, with its pyramidal forms, pediments and dome. Its unusual southern orientation met the residents' desire to offer a majestic entrance from the main road.

The building is distinguished by its 47-metre bell tower, resting on a square porch and pierced by four columned openings, each topped by a circular pediment. The three bells, melted in 1825, 1860, and 1869, still beat local life today. Inside, the contrast between the white stone and the outer red-rosed stone underscores the care given to its construction, while the liturgical furniture, like the former 19th-century high altar, bears witness to its continued use as a place of Catholic worship.

Classified as a historical monument by decree of September 10, 1913, the church falls under the Diocese of Autun and the parish of Saint-Symphorien-en-Côte-Chalonnaise. Its architecture, combining neoclassical rigour and local materials, makes it an emblematic heritage of Givry. The addition of a new altar in 2012, consistent with the liturgy of Vatican II, marks its adaptation to contemporary religious practices while preserving its historical heritage.

The protection of the church is part of a national recognition of its architectural and cultural value. Its maintenance and its opening to the public depend on the municipality of Givry, owner of the premises. The building, still active for worship, embodies nearly two and a half centuries of religious and community history in the Chalonnaise Coast.

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