Perrecy-les-Forges - Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years.

Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.

First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece.

This capital in the narthex depicts a "Luxuria", sitting/standing in a barrel/bathtube. I have the impression, she is sitting in a bathtube, hands cover her knees. - Compared to the warriors and angels seen here (and all the foliage around), the carving of the Luxuria and the two snakes seems a bit "rough". Even taking in account, that somebody took the effort to destroy her face.