Germigny-des-Prés - Oratory

This small church in a Germigny des Pres (pop. 750), was built to serve as the private chapel of Bishop Theodulf of Orléans, who had a sumptuous "villa" here.

Theodulf, one of Charlemagne's important counselors, had written the Libri Carolini (aka "Opus Caroli regis contra synodum") at Charles´ request, before Charlemagne appointed him Bishop of Orléans as well as abbot of Fleury Abbey (= "St-Benoit-sur-Loire"), just 7kms east.

All the remains of the residence are gone, destroyed by the Vikings. The "oratorium", that has many parallels to Charlemagne´s palace chapel in Aachen ("Aix-la-Chapelle"), is the last remaining structure. The church was consecrated on January 3, 806.

Odo of Metz (aka "Odo of Armenia") who had worked as a master builder/architect already in Aachen may have worked here as well. The style is clearly influenced by byzantine or even moorish ideas.

In 817, three years after Charlemagne had died, Theodulf was accused of treason and imprisoned in Angers until he died in 821.

The church became part of a priory and was used by the parish since the 13th century, when the western wall and apse were removed to make way for a traditional Latin nave. That Romanesque nave was in turn replaced by the present larger one in the 15th or 16th century.

The renovation, that was completed end of the 19th century, was not done with much "respect": much of the Carolingian masonry was replaced, two flanking apsidioles were removed, the crossing tower was shortened, most capitals were replaced. But this is still a wonderful carolingian chapel and one of the oldest still existing in France.

An altar is placed in the very center of the oratory, under the dome.