Veauce - Sainte-Croix

This wonderful church in tiny Veauce (pop. less than 50) was built within the 11th century. It was given to the abbey of St. Leger of Ebreuil by chevalier Aimon de Veauce, what was approved by pope Paschal II in 1115.
Not much more is known about the early history of this church. The architect obviously was very ambitious and did a great job. So this church is sometimes compared with Notre-Dame de Saint-Saturnin. For Bernard Craplet, author of "Auvergne Romane", this is one of the nicest and most interesting churches in the Bourbonnais, mixing architectural influences of the Limagne and the Auvergne.

Seen from south, the proportions of the nave are suprising. Actually the western part of the nave was demolished in 1779. Only two of the probably four bays are still there. Of course a new portal was added - and the number 1779 was engraved there.

There were two construction phases. The transept and the apses and the ambulatory were built in a short period, probably by only one group of very experienced builders. The nave was added later - and altered a couple of times.