Auxerre, Église Saint-Eusèbe

History The church, dedicated to Saint Eusèbe, bishop of Verceil, originally formed part of a monastery built outside the city walls by Bishop Palladius (623-659) who had the apse decorated with a splendid mosaic and who was eventually buried there (as were several of his successors). Destroyed during the period of Viking attacks the church, now served by canons, was reestablished in the eleventh century. The establishment formed the center of the bourg Saint-Eusèbe. Major rebuilding took place in the second half of 12th century, starting in the chevet. There was a fire in 1216 which may have led to the reconstruction of the upper nave. The old chevet collapsed in 1530: the new chevet constitutes a wonderful conflation of Late Gothic design with "Renaissance" articulation. Plans to demolish the old tower and rebuild the nave were fortunately not accomplished.