Perrecy Priory

The Abbey of Saint-Benoît established a priory there, which received a community of monks from 880 onwards. Thanks to the donations received and the prosperity of the house, a new church and the conventual buildings were constructed. During the first half of the 11th century, Gauzlin, abbot of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire from 1004 to 1030, undertook the construction of a new Romanesque church, whose transept was modified in the following years. Between 1120 and 1130, an additional bay was added to the nave, together with the porch preceding the church. It became one of the most important priories of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.

The church became a parish church under the patronage of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Benoît, replacing the former parish church of Saint-Pierre, which was in danger of falling into ruin. During the Revolution, much of the priory’s buildings was demolished. The medieval church survives, although with numerous modifications: the chevet had been restructured, the north aisle had been lost and, at the end of the 18th century, the bell tower over the crossing was removed. The monument was protected in 1862 and subsequently underwent several restorations. It preserves a notable example of Romanesque sculptural decoration, particularly in the narthex and doorway. A medieval bell tower rises at the north-west corner of the porch.