Beaune - Saint-Nicolas

Saint-Nicolas was erected in the 12th century just outside the northern city walls to serve a growing suburbian settlement. The facade and the tower date to the 12th century, while the nave is younger.

The tympanum depicts Saint Nicholas and the three poor daughters. Jacobus da Varagine knew this story and wrote it down in the medieval bestseller "Golden Legend" (aka "Legenda Aurea").

Saint Nicholas helped a father of three daughters who had lost everything and feared he would have to prostitute the girls. Saint Nicholas came to the man's window three nights in a row, and each night he tossed in a bag of gold.