La Charité-sur-Loire lies on the right, eastern bank of the river Loire, about 25 km northwest of Nevers.

The settlement of La Charité grew up around the Cluniac priory of that name, founded near the river Loire in the 11th century, and consecrated in 1107.

The nave was finally restored by the late 17th century, albeit with its length diminished and the stone of the original facade repurposed in the reconstruction works.

By the time of the French Revolution only a dozen monks remained in the priory, which was sold to private individuals and preserved.

An improved highway that was to have been driven through the church was deflected by the report of Prosper Mérimée, the first inspector of monuments (and author of Carmen), who classed it as worth saving in 1840.