Abbatiale (abbey church)

A church belonging to an abbaye (abbey); on the photo the abbatiale Saint-Philibert in Tournus.

Saiint-Philibert - Tournus

Basilique (basilica)

The word basilica has two meanings.
The classical basilica was a building (not necessarily a church) with a plan basilical (rectangular plan).
It is also an honorary title given to a church by the Pope. One distinguishes basilica maior (there are four of them, all in Rome) and basilica minor ( the remaining approx. 1500). Saône-et-Loire boasts two basilicas minor, one in Paray-le-Monial, the other in Autun.
The picture shows the basilique Sacré-Cœur in Paray-le-Monial.

Sacré-Cœur - Paray-le-Monial

Cathédrale (cathedral)

A cathedral is the church where an évêque (bishop), the head of an évêché (diocese) resides.
It is also the name of the bishop's chair, which is actually located inside the cathedral itself.
In the picture the cathedral Saint-Lazare in Autun; underneath it the Bishop's seat (Cathedra) of the Bishop of Autun.

 

 

 

Saint-Lazare - Autun

Cathedra Saint-Lazare - Autun

Chapelle (free standing chapel)

The word chapel also has a second meaning: a small freestanding sanctuary, which is not a paroissiale (parish church).
These chapels are often found on cemeteries; sometimes they are located on the grounds of a castle.
The picture shows the chapel on Joncy's cemetery.
See also all other entries related to chapelle.

Cimetière - Joncy

Chapelle castrale (castle chapel ©)

The translation in the title is followed by this sign ©; this means that it has been "invented" by me.

A chapelle (chapel) belonging to a castle, often on the castle grounds.
The chapel is owned by the chatelain.
On the photo the chapel of the castle Pierreclos.

Chapelle castrale - Pierreclos

Collégiale (collegiate church)

A church which is not a cathédrale (cathedral) where a chapitre (chapter), a college of chanoines (canons), meets and rules.
The Saint-Hilaire in Semur-en-Brionnais (see picture) is a former collégiale.

Saint-Hilaire - Semur-en-Brionnais

Cruciforme (cross shaped)

Slightly bigger churches often have a plan resembling a Latin cross (Wikipedia).

Cruciforme - Wikipedia

Eglise (church)

An église is a building where Christians gather for their worship, in the context of this lexicon a building where Roman Catholics gather for their service.
There are Romanesque churches in abundance in Saône-et-Loire, in all sizes, from cathédrale (cathedral) to paroissiale (parish church).
In the picture the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Ameugny.

Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption - Ameugny

Paroissiale (parish church)

Church in a parish where parishioners practice their faith.
The church service is led by a curé (parish priest).
A paroisse (parish) is quite low in the hierarchy: several parishes form a doyenné (deanery) and a number of deaneries form a diocèse (diocese).
The picture shows the parish church Sainte-Marie-Madeleine of Taizé.

Sainte-Marie-Madeleine - Taizé

Priorale (priory church)

The church belonging to a prieuré (priory).
The picture shows the priory church of Blanot with the priory in the background.

Saint-Martin - Blanot