Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens de Varenne-l'Arconce, located in the Brionnais in Saône-et-Loire, is a Romanesque building from the early 12th century (circa 1120), built on the site of an earlier church. It belonged to a monastic ensemble linked to the Abbey aux Dames de Marcigny, founded in 1054 by Hugues de Semur, 6th Abbé de Cluny. This monument illustrates the clunisian influence in the region, with a typical architecture of Burgundy novel.

Ranked a historic monument in 1889, the church underwent several restoration campaigns. In the 19th century, major works were carried out, notably by architect Paul Selmersheim (1880-1889), who planned an ambitious renovation including the partial reconstruction of the choir and the transept. The initial project, partially realized, was adapted due to the fragility of the bell tower.

In the 20th century, coverage (1966, 1972) and remediation (1996) helped stabilize the building. Excavations during this work revealed foundations of the early church and medieval tombs. In the 21st century, the restoration focused on the furniture elements: the 16th century bell (registered in 2019), the Romanesque Christ (classified in 1970, restored in 2017) and five 16th century statues of saints.

The church houses a remarkable statuary, including a polychrome wooden Christ of the 11th–12th century, classified as a historical monument. This Christ, restored in 2017, revealed original decorations under his successive paintings. Currently exhibited at the Hieron Museum in Paray-le-Monial, he must return to the church after the interior restoration, planned in three slices (2023–225).

The financing of recent works (2020–2025) involves the State (DRAC), the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, the department of Saône-et-Loire, and private actors such as the Heritage Foundation and ASEVA (Association for the Protection of the Church of Varenne-l'Arconce). This work aims to restore medieval murals of the choir, transept and naves.

Architecturally, the church is distinguished by its western tripartite facade, its southern sculpted portal (pascal lamb tympanum), and its square Romanesque bell tower with geminied bays. The bedside, composed of a semicircular apse, and the gables enhanced by the transept highlight its Burgundian Romanesque style, characteristic of the Clunisian churches of Brionnais.

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