Germigny-des-Prés Oratory

Theodulf was probably of northern Hispanic origin, although he had settled in Septimania and, by the 780s, had already gained considerable influence at the Carolingian court. He served as an adviser to Charlemagne (748-814). In 798 he was appointed Bishop of Orléans and, in the same year, also became abbot of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. He remained a close associate of Charlemagne until the emperor's death and played a role in the spread of the Benedictine reform promoted by Benedict of Aniane (c. 750-821). He is also remembered for revising and disseminating biblical texts, several manuscripts of which survive, notably the Thedulf Bible, now preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale de France. The circumstances surrounding the construction of the residence and its chapel, however, remain unknown.

It was not until the nineteenth century that the monument was rediscovered as an outstanding example of Carolingian architecture and its Carolingian mosaic decoration, still preserved today, was fully appreciated. The building was subsequently restored, excavated and extensively studied. The small Carolingian church built in Theodulf's time survives today. It has a square plan and originally featured three apses on the eastern side and a further apse centred on each of the other three façades. It retains several original features alongside others resulting from later alterations, additions and reconstructions. The most significant modification was the addition of a nave to the west of the original chapel.