The church is dedicated to Saint-Honorat of Arles or Lérins (died in 430).
Coming from the Gallo-Roman aristocracy, he decided, as a young man, to convert to Christianity. He undertook a journey of several years in the East before returning to Gaul and founding a monastery, around 410, on the island of Lérins, off Cannes. Very quickly, the fame of Saint-Honorat led to the influence of the community.
In 427, he was elected bishop of Arles where he tried to fish for as many people as possible.
During the Ancien Régime, Avrilly was part of the diocese of Autun and depended on the priory of Anzy-le-Duc.
The church has preserved, from the Romanesque period, its semi-circular apse as well as the transept crossing. These two parts are built with limestone rubble, whose yellow color reminds the churches of the Brionnais.
In 1885, the departmental architect Moreau built the entire nave as well as a high bell, placed in the façade.
Inside, the nave is barrel vaulted, supported by double arches and pilasters made of red brick. The crossing is delimited by 4 large arches in the center plain that support a dome on trumpets. The choir is decorated by an arcature formed by columns with sculpted capitals.
Free access.
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