ARCHITECT, French
(active in 1070-1150 in Centre-Val de Loire)

Interior view

1070-1150
Photo
Abbey Church of Saint-Benoît, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (Loiret)

Abbot Guillaume at Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire decided to modernized his church which dated from the tenth century. He began the construction of new parts in the east in the 1070s and, at the same time the erection of a massive fortified tower in the west of the church. In its ground plan and elevation the ambulatory anticipated the choir of the third church at Cluny, which had been under construction since 1089. Saint-Benoît is one of the buildings on which Hugo of Cluny was testing his architectural concepts.

In 1108 the east parts of Saint-Benoît were consecrated, whilst the nave was not completed until around the middle of the twelfth century.

The photo shows a view of the choir.

View the ground plan of the Abbey Church of Saint-Benoît, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.