Southern Burgundy Romanesque ChurchesBissy la Maconnaise Sainte Juliette

Bissy la Maconnaise is a small village in Southern Burgundy, its church Sainte Juliette is Romanesque. Built during the 12th century by the monks of Cluny. Like many Romanesque churches, Sainte Juliette's structure has been modified over the centuries. During the Wars of Religion the bell tower collapsed due to a fire and a tower was added to the right side in 1789.

During the French Revolution unlike many churches, most notably Saint Paul and Saint Peter at Cluny Sainte Juliette was not destroyed. Thanks to priest named Dubost who was able to talk the local revolting peasants out of destroying Sainte Juliette.

In 1845 work was started on restoring the collapsed bell tower. A few years after this work started the village cemetery, that was up until this time surrounding the church, was moved to just outside the village.

Sainte Juliette is a modest church; it only has one nave and a roof supported by oak rafters. Wealthier churches built during the same time period had stone arch support.

The outside is surrounded by homes on two sides. It's front porch, somewhat rare for a Romanesque church in the region is still intact. Inside Sainte Juliette you can view a number of statues from the 15th and 16th century. They are considered masterpieces of popular art.

Bissy la Maconnaise is located at the intersection of the D82 and D 161 not far from Tournus and the A6 Autoroute in the department of the Saone-et-Loire.

If you are hungry there is a pizzeria across from the church. Pizzas are cooked via a wood oven and there is free Wifi.

See a video of Sainte Juliette.

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