Église de Saint-Cyr-en-Retz

The original parish of the present-day commune of Villeneuve-en-Retz.

The village of Saint Cyr is located on the ancient shore of the Gulf of Machecoul. It dates back to Roman or Merovingian times.
This ancient village is located near a Merovingian cemetery. For a long time, it was known as Sancti Cyrici in Maritimis ("Saint-Cyr-des-Marais").

Founded by the lords of Noé Briord in the 13th century, the history of Saint-Cyr is linked to the sea, and in particular to its retreat due to the silting up of the Marais Breton Vendéen.

The first known building, a chapel, dates back to 1262. However, the patronage of Saint Cyr implies an earlier cult.
In fact, Léon Maitre, an archivist from Nantes, states that :


"The cult of Saint Cyr is very old in Nantes". Like that of his mother, Saint Julitte, it was very popular in Brittany. They were both martyred in the fourth century.
"The parish of Saint-Cyr and Sainte-Julitte is mentioned Antiquitus constituta.



After a fire destroyed the first building, the church of Saint-Cyr, dedicated to Saint Julitte, was rebuilt in 1453 thanks to subscriptions from the inhabitants of the village.

Romanesque in style, with massive buttresses, it had a narrow nave. Its square bell tower, separate from the church, was a landmark for the sailors in the bay.

During the Revolution, the village and church were burnt down by the Republicans in 1794.




Today, the church is considered to be one of the three prettiest in the region.

During the Concordat, the parish of Saint-Cyr was abolished and not re-established until 1815.

The reconstruction of the church was delayed for a long time by the conflict between Bourgneuf and Saint-Cyr: "the little girl (Bourgneuf) rebelling against her mother".
In 1840, the Prefect of Police wrote to the Minister: "Five communes are on fire. The sections of Saint-Cyr, La Bernerie... are at open war with the chief towns and are urging an administrative separation".
Bourgneuf was in no hurry to see the church of Saint-Cyr rebuilt.

And yet, it was rebuilt in 1898, thanks to the parish priest Mathurin Dureau and the generosity of the local population.
A new place of worship was built on the site of the cemetery.

The construction of the new church was entrusted to Nantes-based diocesan architect François Bougoüin (1846-1933), who was also responsible for transforming the Château de Pornic during the same period.
He opted for a neo-Gothic style, inspired by the church of Saint-Julien in Vouvantes.
The church features numerous stained glass windows.
The first stones were laid on 12 July 1897.
Construction continued until 1901.

It is considered to be one of the three "luminous" churches in the Pays de Retz.
Its many openings, made possible by the stained glass windows that surround it, give it a particularly bright atmosphere.

Its bell tower is located on the north side of the choir for reasons of subsoil stability.
The building, like the many monuments located on schist soils, is exposed to the sea breeze and requires special care.

A major restoration project was carried out over a period of twenty-six months, between 2013 and 2015, giving the church a new look (roof, framework, sacristies, stained glass windows, etc.), just like Notre-Dame du Bon Port in Bourgneuf-en-Retz.


Outstanding features of the church

The painting "The Martyrdom of Saint Cyr" dates from the 17th century.
This oil painting is located behind the baptismal font, in the nave of Sainte-Julitte church.
The painting, which is listed as a Monument Historique object and dates back to the 17th century, came from the former church of Saint-Cyr, which was burnt down during the Revolution and, like the new church, was dedicated to Saint Cyr and Saint Julitte. It may have been part of the altarpiece of the new church.
This large painting depicts a Roman procurator, Alexander, in the presence of his legionaries, holding a small child, Saint Cyr, by the foot, threatening to massacre him. The interpretation of this version suggests that he hopes to get the mother, Saint Juliet, who is facing him, to renounce her faith.
The work is not by a great artist. Although the artist's name is unknown, the false perspective of the steps undoubtedly betrays the work of a local painter. But this painting bears witness to popular fervour.
Very dilapidated, the painting was restored in 2017 by two Nantes workshops.

The church's processional banner takes up the theme of the martyrdom of Saint Cyr.
It depicts Saint Cyr and Saint Julitte against a velvet background (front and back).
The child has been murdered and little Saint Cyr lies at the feet of his executioner, while his mother points to the martyred child with her other hand.
The work, which is obviously local, is a fine example of religious folk art.
The banner is undated but dates from the 19th century. The figures are painted on fabric. Its restoration was decided in 2017.


Did you know?
Cyr of Tarsus was martyred in 304 at the age of just five, along with his mother Saint Juliet.
He was a very young boy living in Antioch at the beginning of the fourth century, under the reign of Diocletian. While attending a trial against Christians, he managed to slip onto the bench of a judge named Alexander and shouted in his ear: "I'm a Christian too!
When the child exclaimed, the magistrate grabbed him by the leg and threw him against the wall, where he smashed his head and died. Saint Juliet, the mother of Saint Cyr, was also martyred. Their cult spread throughout Gaul.


To consult the mass schedule for the parish of Sainte-Croix-en-Retz, click here.

A little extra :
A guided tour of the church is available during the European Heritage Days in September.

Sources: Emile Boutin (Histoire religieuse du Pays de Retz - abbayes, prieurés, paroisses, published by SILOE in 1999), Le Patrimoine des communes de la Loire Atlantique (published by FLOHIC in 1999).