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The Church of St John the Baptist at Toulon-sur-Arroux

The remains of a mediaeval castle

Constructed at the beginning of the 12th century, St John the Baptist church is a surviving relic of the former castle of Toulon-sur-Arroux. Situated at the boundaries of the Charolais, Autunois, and Bourbonnais regions, the castle played an important role until the unification of Burgundy in the 17th century. 

Although the castle ramparts no longer exist, their location can still be identified from the rounded outline which is clearly visible on photographs taken from the air. There are still traces of towers and ramparts in the remaining cluster of surrounding buildings.

The nave

St John the Baptist church consists of a principal nave of three bays, bordered by two side-aisles which continue into the choir-bay and a semi-circular apse. As distinct from the majority of Romanesque churches, the bell-tower is not above the crossing of the transept (which does not feature in this church) but over the apse. It is very slender and reinforced by four buttresses, and with rectangular openings, but only at the upper level.

Other view

Its shape and position suggest that the bell-tower was originally a watch-tower in the middle of the castle ramparts, giving a clear view of the surrounding countryside.

St John the Baptist church lost its status as a parish church in 1865 when the new church was built. It now belongs to the “Friends of Dardon” association.

 

 

To carry on with the tour

  • Less than 5 km

  • — Diverti’parc :
    71320 Toulon-sur-Arroux
    03  85 79 59 08

  • Less than 10 km

  • — Romanesque church of Sainte Radegonde :
    Go North-West in Gueugnon's direction
  • — Romanesque church of Saint Romain-sous-Versigny :
    Go North-East in Perrecy-les-Forges's direction
 

More info to carry on the tour on the Bourgogne du Sud's website

 

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