The Priory-Church of Perrecy-les-Forges 

Protection of a building at risk

On 18 march 2009 after a visit by Chief Architect F Didier who had given his opinion that “this is currently the historic building which is most at risk in the whole department [of Saône et Loire]”, the Mayor of Perrecy-les-Forges decided to close the church.

This crisis was the result of ill-advised restoration work in the middle of the 19th century, when it was decided to cut through the lower ties of the gothic roof timbers in order to install a plasterwork vault, without considering the possible consequences.

The nave

The vault was dismantled in 1973, revealing instability in the roof timbers. It was decided to reinforce them with metal bracing. 

But this inexpert solution quickly proved inadequate and has now had to be replaced with a programme of complete and effective restoration designed to restore the timberwork to its original condition.
Thus, the technical measures to save the building from collapse have been identified, but a large part of their considerable cost has to be borne by the local authority.

The cupola

The destruction of the priory church of Perrecy-les-Forges, a major site on the “Romanesque byways of Southern Burgundy”, would without doubt have been an incalculable loss.
Now that it has been saved from collapse, this case is an object lesson to us all about the difficult challenges presented by the conservation of our heritage, and the amount of effort which this involves.

To carry on with the tour

• Less than 5 km

• — Romanesque church of Génelard :
  Go South, in Charolles' direction
• — Romanesque church of Saint Romain-sous-Versigny :
  Go North, in Toulon-sur-Arroux's direction

• Less than 10 km

• — Romanesque chapel of Marly-sur-Arroux
  Go West in Gueugnon's direction
• — Romanesque church of Ciry-le-Noble :
  Go East, in Montceau-les-Mines' direction
• — La briqueterie (museum) :
  Route du Canal (D 974)
  71420 Ciry-le-Noble
  03 85 79 18 98
  www.ecomusee-creusot-montceau.fr

• Tourist office

• Montceau-les-Mines,
  Quai Général De Gaulle
  Tél : 03 85 69 00 00

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

Map

Restaurants & Hotels

• Where to eat ?

• — Café restaurant « Le Péché Gourmand » :
  40, avenue Francis Pautonnier
  71420 Perrecy-les-Forges
  03 85 79 30 67
• — Café restaurant PMU :
  5 Place Gaston Grassie
  71420 Perrecy les Forges

  03 85 79 36 66 
• More info on restaurants on the Bourgogne du Sud's website

• Where to sleep ?

• — Hôtel-Restaurant du Commerce :
  71420 Génelard
  03 85 79 20 87
• More info on hotels on the Bourgogne du Sud's website