Saint Nazaire Church at Bourbon-Lancy

A former church which is now a museum

St Nazaire church is the only surviving part of the priory at Bourbon-Lancy. The priory belonged to the order of Cluny, and played a major role in the development of this historic town.

Built at the end of the 11th century, the monastery was deconsecrated during the French Revolution, and the church became the parish church until a larger and more modern building was constructed on the site of the former Convent of the Ursulines in 1881.

St Nazaire church has a three-part nave leading to the crossing and protruding transepts. At the east end, the harmoniously designed apse consists of five chapels in staggered formation.

Museum's collection are inside the church (Photo: H. Louis/ Bourbon Lancy)

The exterior of the building is simple and restrained, thanks to the absence of decorative sculpture and to its construction in plain undressed stone.
Inside, a ceiling covers the entire nave, which is bathed in light from the clerestory windows.

The nave (Photo: H. Louis/ Bourbon Lancy)

The museum’s collections of exhibits are arranged in the side-aisles of the church. The eastern part of the church has some more elaborate features, in particular its six carved stone capitals, and the vaulting of the transepts and the apsidal chapels.

To carry on with the tour

• Historic town of  Bourbon-Lancy

• Less than 5 km

• — Romanesque church Lesme :
  Prendre au Nord en direction de Nevers

• Less than 10 km

• — Romanesque church of Vitry-sur-Loire :
  Go North in Nevers' direction
• — Romanesque church of Saint Aubin-sur-Loire :
  Go South in Digoin's direction
• — Castle of Saint Aubin-sur-Loire
  Open from 15th  june to 15th septembre 
  website 
• — Romanesque church of Luzy :
  Go North-East in Luzy's direction
• — Romanesque church of Maltat:
  Go east in Gueugnon's direction

• Tourist information

• Bourbon-Lancy, Place Aligre
  Tél : 03 85 89 18 27

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

Map

Restaurants & Hotels

• Where to eat?

• — Restaurant La Grignotte du Vieux Bourbon :
  12, rue de l'horloge
  71140 Bourbon-Lancy
  03 85 09 06 53 / 06 12 62 49 48
• — Restaurant Villa du Vieux Puits :
  7, rue de Bel-air
  71140 Bourbon-Lancy
  03 85 89 04 04
• More info on restaurants on the Bourgogne du Sud's website

• Where to sleep?

• — Hôtel-Restaurant Villa du Vieux Puits :
  7, rue de Bel-air
  71140 Bourbon-Lancy
  03 85 89 04 04
• — Hôtel-Restaurant La Tourelle du Beffroi :
  17, place de la mairie
  71140 Bourbon-Lancy
  03 85 89 39 20 / 06 14 86 33 59
  website
• More info on hotels on the Bourgogne du Sud's website