Note 300 — Chapter IX · The Gothic Art of Burgundy[267]

The abbey church at St. Eusèbe is of archæological interest. The octagonal tower over its altar, forming internally a lantern, is of the XII century, as are the piers and their arches. A pause came between the making of the nave’s lower and upper parts, for the church did not follow the usual custom of advancing bay by bay, but was constructed story by story. The west front is full Gothic, and the ambulatory of the XIII century. The original choir was in large part replaced by the present well-built Flamboyant Gothic one, finished by 1530. What used to be the episcopal palace of Auxerre is to-day the Prefecture. It shows, in its wall on the river side, the Romanesque gallery built by Bishop Hugues de Châlons (1116-36). Its hall, with pignons alike at both ends, was erected by Bishop Guillaume de Mello (1247-70). Congrès Archéologique, 1907, p. 188; Corberon, Auxerre, ses monuments; Lescuyer, “Notice sur l’église de St. Eusèbe,” in l’Annuaire de l’Yonne, 1839, p. 318; 1845, p. 103, “St. Eusèbe,” Max Quantin.