Anzy-le-Duc is in southern Burgundy, to the south of Paray-le-Monial. A small, pretty village with some lovely traditional houses that is set peacefully in the rolling Burgundy countryside, the principal attraction here is the Priory of Anzy-le-Duc.
History of the Priory of Anzy-le-Duc
A monastery was first founded here in the ninth century, and gained fame because Hugues de Poitiers, an inspirational character at that time, became a prior at the church. Hugues de Poitiers went on to be a founder of the famous abbey at Cluny.
The relics of Hugues de Poitiers were kept in the church at Anzy-le-Duc after his death and attracted so many pilgrims to the church that a decision was made to replace the original church with a larger version. The current church was built to replace the original building in the 11th - 12th centuries although the crypt from the earlier church was retained and can still be seen today.
The building was damaged and abandoned during the 16th - 18th centuries, in particular during the Wars of Religion, but found a new life from the 19th century onwards when it was repaired and started to be used as the local village church.
Visit the priory of Anzy-le-Duc
The church and village of Anzy-le-Duc are perhaps best described as 'small but perfectly formed' and a visit is recommended when you are in the region.
The church is well known as a good example of Burgundy Roman style church architecture and has several notable highlights dating from that period. In particular the carvings around two of the doorways and the capital stones inside the church are impressive examples of roman style workmanship.
Although the church is the principal part of the priory of Anzy-le-Duc that can still be seen today, some of the other priory buildings can also be seen adjacent to the church.
The first unusual feature you will notice from the outside is the octagonal bell tower, with its three levels of arched windows and stone carvings. Elsewhere around the outside of the church there are various stone carvings and gargoyles, culminating in the 12th century carvings around the entrance doorways to the south and west of the church.
Inside the church is also distinguished by the beautiful decoration and vibrant frescoes it contains, especially in the choir area, and by further stone carvings such as the capitals at the top of the columns are carved into statues of people, plants and animals representing Biblical stories.
Beneath the choir of the church at Anzy-le-Duc there is an 11th century crypt, which for several centuries held the relics of Hugues de Poitiers. The crypt somehow became forgotten, then later used as a storage area, but has recently become reincorporated in the church and can now be seen during a visit.
Note: during summer months nocturnal visits to the church are often arranged, giving a rare and welcome chance to better recapture the history of the priory.
Attractions nearby
Enthusiasts of roman and religious style architecture will want to also visit the church at Semur-en-Brionnais and the Abbey at Cluny while in this part of Burgundy. We also suggest a stroll around the village of Marcigny a few kilometres south of here.
You can find more travel ideas in the Saone-et-Loire guide and the Burgundy guide.
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Map of Anzy-le-Duc and places nearby
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Semur-en-Brionnais
As well as the pretty village itself, you can also visit the Chateau de Saint-Hugues and Collegiale Saint-Hilaire in Semur-en-Brionnais
Semur-en-Brionnais guide
Paray-le-Monial basilica
Paray-le-Monial basilica is an impressive 12th century church in the romanesque style
Paray-le-Monial basilica guide
Paray-le-Monial
The 12th century abbey and other buildings and the pretty setting make the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur at Paray-le-Monial one of the most visited sites in France
Paray-le-Monial guide
Lapalisse
The renaissance style Chateau de la Palice, its internal decorations and its gardens are the main highlight when you visit Lapalisse
Lapalisse guide
Cluny
As well as one of the most visited abbeys in France Cluny also has a picturesque town centre to explore
Cluny guide
Vichy
The spa town of Vichy is best known for its bottled water and as centre for the government of unoccupied Fraance during the Second World War
Vichy guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Saone-et-Loire
Address: Anzy-le-Duc, Marcigny, Charolles, Burgundy, 71110, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.32, longitude 4.0608
Plan your visit to Anzy-le-Duc, Saone-et-Loire
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Prieuré d'Anzy-le-Duc (Anzy-le-Duc): religious monument
- Eglise de Saint Pierre et Saint Paul (Montceaux-l'Etoile): religious monument (4 km)
- Eglise de Saint Hilaire (Semur-en-Brionnais): religious monument (7 km)
- Semur-en-Brionnais: most beautiful village (7 km)
- Eglise de Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens (Varenne-l'Arconce): religious monument (8 km)
- Les jardins Romans de Varenne-l'Arconce: remarkable garden (8 km)
- Jardin du château de Chaumont: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Eglise de Saint Marcel (Iguerande): religious monument (13 km)
- Eglise de Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (Neuilly-en-Donjon): religious monument (14 km)
- Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Paray-le-Monial): religious monument (15 km)
- Paray-le-Monial: town of art and history (15 km)
- Eglise de Saint Germain (Saint-Germain-en-Brionnais): religious monument (16 km)
The French version of this page is at Anzy-le-Duc (Francais)