Orléans - Saint-Aignan

Saint-Aignan is a former collegiate church, dedicated to Anianus, a fifth-century bishop of Orléans, who, according to legend, persuaded Attila the Hun not to sack the city.

A convent existed already here in the 7th century. The status of this changed to a collegiate two centuries later. Hugo the Great as well as his son Hugo Capet hold the title "abbot" here (Hugo Capet was abbot of about five different abbeys). The collegiate burnt down when a great fire destroyed the city in 999. Only the crypt survived the blaze.

A romanesque church was erected and consecrated in 1029. This church was teared down by the citizens of Orléans, fearing English troops could use the building as a fortification during the siege. Rebuilt in 1420 and demolished again in 1428, when the English returned.

The next church here, financed by Louis XI (aka "Louis the Prudent"), was consecrated in 1509 and looted and burnt down by Huguenot troops in 1563. Rebuilding started, but the nave was given up. After the Revolution it was used as a "Temple de la Reconnaisance et de la Victoire". Today it belongs to the parish.

Only the apse, the radiating chapels and four bays to the transept of this church still exist. Below is the old crypt. I would have liked to see it - but it was locked on a sunday.