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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Barthélémy Church in Saint-Geneys-near-Saint-Paulien is a religious building whose Romanesque nave, dating from the Middle Ages, bears witness to an occupation of the site prior to the 12th century. Its plan in a Latin cross with a flat bedside incorporates two vaulted bays in a cradle, while the choir, which was bewitched in the 16th century, retains a Renaissance decor. This mix of styles reflects the successive transformations of the building, including the addition of a 17th century North Chapel and a 19th century South Chapel.

The bell tower-wall of 1662, later transformed into a square bell tower, surmounts the first span of the nave, itself topped by a 19th century bell tower. The door, typical of the 16th century, and the discovery of an ossuary under the northern chapel confirm the age of the place. These architectural elements illustrate the evolution of the monument through the centuries, between medieval heritage and modern adaptations.

Classified as a historical monument by order of 8 February 1986, the church belongs to the commune of Saint-Geneys-near Saint-Paulien, in the department of Haute-Loire. Its inscription underscores the heritage value of a building marked by periods of construction from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, while serving as a witness to local religious and architectural history.

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