Eglise Saint Georges

The parish, which is said to have been founded in 864, was attached to the diocese of Autun in the 11th century by the archpriesthood of Bourbon-Lancy. Dating from the 12th century, reworked in the 16th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, this isolated church, erected on a hill, is dedicated to Saint George. A prestigious saint, the "Great Martyr" for the Orientals, he was the object of a widespread cult from the 4th century onwards in Syria, Egypt and then in Europe. It is not surprising that a legend has been added to the story of such a popular figure: he is depicted as slaying a dragon.

If you look at the church of Savigny-Poil-Fol, the first thing that strikes you is the bell tower, which is not above the choir but above the portal on the western side. The upper part of this long bell tower was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century.

The church of St George is elongated and very irregular in plan, with a north-east-facing chevet and a bell tower in the front. A vestibule flanked by two chapels with transverse barrel vaults precedes the square nave with a ceilinged nave dating from the 16th century. The choir consists of a straight bay covered with a ribbed vault and a circular apse with a ribbed vault. Only this apse is of Romanesque origin; the remaining parts, which in turn have undergone modifications while retaining a certain homogeneity in structure, date from a redesign in the 16th century. Openings were made or enlarged in the 18th century, the nave was roofed in the 19th century, the framework and roofing were restored at the end of the 20th century, and the bell tower was rebuilt.

Among the remarkable elements, let us mention three of them.

The stone tombstone dates from the 16th century. Measuring 195 x 70 cm, it bears an engraved cross with four fleur-de-lys branches. The lower branch is prolonged by a stem which seems to be attached to a base, like a roadside cross.

The statue of the Virgin and Child, in polychrome wood, dates from the 18th century. It measures 116 cm. Only the Virgin retains her crown. The work has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1975.

Opposite, there is a statue of Saint George, by Stéphane Morit and blessed in 2000. It is made of cherry wood.

The church was last restored in 2000. The municipal team worked to restore the boat hull frame, with exposed rafters, and the slate roof.