Priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pré at Donzy
Domiciacus / Prato / Donzy-le-Pré / Pratum Donziaci
(Donzy, Nièvre)
The Cluniac priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pré at Donzy originated in 1055, when Geoffroy de Champallement (d. 1076), bishop of Auxerre, donated to the abbey of Cluny (Saône-et-Loire) a rural church situated at a place called Domiciacus. The donation was made at the request of Hervé, baron of Donzy (d. 1092). A monastic community was established there soon afterwards and, at the beginning of the 12th century, the establishment assumed its definitive form as the Priory of Pré. The foundation was promoted by Hervé II of Donzy (d. 1120), son of the former.
The priory developed rapidly. A bull of Pope Anastasius IV, dated 1154, confirms the numerous possessions it then held, including churches, lands, vineyards, woods and mills. Part of this patrimony came through the support of Hugh of Montaigu, bishop of Auxerre from 1115 to 1136. During the second half of the 14th century, the priory was affected by outbreaks of plague and by the conflicts of the Hundred Years’ War. In 1360 Donzy was sacked and the priory suffered considerable damage. In 1364 Pope Urban V granted indulgences to those who contributed to its reconstruction.
During the 15th century the house entered a period of decline, although various repair works were subsequently undertaken. The Wars of Religion once again affected the priory. In 1568-1569 Donzy and its surroundings were sacked, and the house was partially destroyed. Its situation remained precarious during the following centuries, despite several restoration works. Further works were undertaken in 1734, but the Revolution led to the sale of the priory’s possessions from 1793 onwards. Part of the remains of the church was subsequently destroyed, although a significant portion survived.
Tympanum (12th century)
Ruins of the priory church survive, including the narthex, with the façade tower, several capitals and the Romanesque portal, whose tympanum depicts the Virgin and Child accompanied by an angel and the prophet Isaiah. The complex, listed as a historic monument in 1840, has undergone several restoration campaigns, the latest of which began in 2024.
Tympanum. Angel (12th century)
Tympanum. Virgin and Child (12th century)
Tympanum. Isaiah (12th century)
Photo by Médéric Mieusement (1891)
Ministère de la Culture (France)
Médiathèque de l'architecture et du patrimoine, diffusion RMN-GP
- CHAULIAT, E. (1939). Restauration du tympan de l'église de Notre-Dame-du-Pré, à Donzy (Nièvre). Bulletin Monumental, vol. 98/1
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1936). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 1. Mâcon: Protat
- CROSNIER, Augustin-Joseph (1877). Les congrégations religieuses dans le diocèse de Nevers. Vol. 1. Nevers: Michot
- DUPONT, Jean (1976). Nivernais, Boubonnais roman. La nuit des temps, núm.45. Zodiaque, 1976
- JULLIEN, Amédée (1883). La Nièvre à travers le passé. Nevers: Michot
- MESLIN, Nicolas (2025). Le prieuré Notre-Dame de Donzy-le-Pré. Histoire d’un monastère clunisien de sa fondation jusqu’à la fin du Moyen Âge
The Priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pré is at Donzy-le-Pré, on the outskirts of Donzy, north of La Charité-sur-Loire, beside the cemetery