The Priory of Corcelles

17 June 2020

The Priory of Corcelles was founded in 1092 in an existing church donated to Cluny Abbey. The church became a temple in 1530 and is a national monument.

Corcelles joined the network of Clunisian sites in 2007. (www.clunypedia.com/sites/suisse/corcelles-cormondreche).

The history of Corcelles (canton of Neuchâtel) begins with the words in a charter: “In the year 1092, a certain Humbert founded the Priory of Corcelles”.

Humbert made the pilgrimage to Cluny. He met the famous Abbot Hugues (1049-1109). Humbert returned to Corcelles and dedicated the church to St.Peter and St. Paul. Cluny became the new owner.

The church is 26 meters long , the tower with spire is 25 meters high. Two chapels, from the 15th century and the other from the 20th century, give the building the shape of a cross.

(Source: Ann Robert, 900 years of history of the parish of Corcelles-Cormondrèche: 1092 – 1992. Corcelles, 1992).