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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The priory of the Villars, located in the municipality of the same name in Saône-et-Loire, is a former Benedictine priory founded between the 11th and 12th centuries. Its Romanesque architecture is distinguished by a unique characteristic in Burgundy: a church with two adjacent naves (paroissial and Conventual) covered with a single roof. The north nave, vaulted in a broken cradle, served in the parish, while the south nave, in a full cradle, housed the nuns' offices. The choir, extended by a central apse and two apsidioles, retains characteristic Lombard elements.

Ranked a Historic Monument since October 27, 1941, the priory integrates in 2020 the network of "Chemins du roman en Mâconnais Sud Bourgogne", benefiting from a dedicated tourist signage. The building, still dedicated to Catholic worship, depends on the diocese of Autun and the parish of Saint-Philibert-en-Tournugeois. Its furniture includes polychrome wooden statues (17th century) such as Saint Nicholas or Saint Catherine, as well as 16th century stone sculptures, restored by a local association.

The history of the priory reflects the influence of the Abbey of Tournus, on which it depended ("Tournusian priory"). The square bell tower, decorated with Lombard arches, overlooks the southern absidiole. After the Revolution, the church became communal, while the remains of the cloister recalled its monastic past. Today, the site combines religious heritage, Romanesque architecture and active parish life, while participating in the tourist development of the territory between Cluny and Tournus.

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