Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Firmin

The parish existed here already in medieval times. Around 1000 the church was "transferred" to Cluny. They abbey founded a priory here and parts of the tower may still date back to that time. When the church of today was erected mid 19th century, a christian tomb, dated to the 7th century, was excavated on the spot.

Beaugency was an important place already within the 11th century. It has been the site of numerous military conflicts. During the Hundred Years' War it was occupied on four separate occasions by English troops. In 1429, it was the site of the Battle of Beaugency, when it was freed by Joan of Arc. It was burned down and looted by the Protestants in 1567, creating an extensive damage to the walls, the castle, and the churches. In 1870 the Prussian army defeated the French army of the Loire in the second Battle of Beaugency. During WWII the city was bombed twice by the German Luftwaffe. Seen behind the statue of Joan of Arc ("A Jeanne d'Arc - Liberatrice") is the tower of Saint-Firmin. This tower is the last remnant of an 11th-century church, that got demolished at the time of the French Revolution.