An article by Vokya D, added on January 25, 2024 5 min. reading

Have you explored Notre-Dame de Paris many times? Are you familiar with Sainte-Chapelle and the Madeleine Church? Tired of queuing in a tourist crowd? Please note that in the territory of Grand Roissy, you will discover places of worship imbued with history and originality. Plus, most of them are free and easily accessible by public transportation.

Saint-Acceul Church in Écouen

Saint-Acceul Church in Écouen ©OTGrand Roissy

Listed as a Historic Monument, theSaint-Acceul church is a architectural and artistic jewel of the Renaissance. One of a kind, she is the only church in France to bear this name, and it remains the only church in Val-d'Oise to preserve its original stained glass windows. Erected by Anne of Montmorency From 1536, it symbolizes the power of the Montmorency family. The facade displays Saint-Acceul with a saw, linked to Saint-Andeol. 16th century stained glass windowse century, financed by the Montmorencys, remain intact, representing the family and contemporary themes. Architectural diversity, from the Renaissance to the 19th centurye century, gives remarkable originality. The church houses a imposing altar, a copy of Raphael's Transfiguration, an organ and three bells, the most massive of which bears the arms of Anne de Montmorency. Jean Bullant, the architect, supposedly rests here. A treasure preserved over the centuries.

Canopy of Constable Anne de Montmorency and her five sons © Wikimedia Commons

Saint-Éloi Church in Roissy in France

Saint-Eloi Church of Roissy in France ©Wikipedia

La Renaissance left his precious mark on theSaint-Eloi church, housing splendid furniture composed of ancient statues and funerary slabs from the 16th centurye and XVIIthe centuries. This church was officially classified as a Historic Monument in 1942. The precise date of the start of the construction of the church remains uncertain, mixing classical and Gothic architectural features. The 1574 engraving on a buttress suggests its completion. The interior reveals architectural and artistic treasures, such as Ionic capitals, listed funerary slabs, statues, sumptuous stained glass windows and sculpted decoration of Renaissance style. The walls display polychrome coat of arms from the 18th centurye century, the seigneurial liter of Riquet de Caraman. The sculpted apse houses a magnificent altar with bas-relief and tabernacle. The square tower overlooking the entrance is reinforced by buttresses. In 1982, the stained glass windows were restored, and in March 1989, an organ was added to the church by the municipality.

Polychrome seigneurial liter ©Wikipedia

Church of Saint-Côme-Saint-Damien in Luzarches

Church of Saint-Côme-Saint-Damien de Luzarches ©Wikipedia

The Church of Saint-Côme-Saint-Damien, dating from XIe XVIe centuries, was classified Historical Monument le July 13 1912. Its architecture reveals successive evolutions, with novel elements du XIe century, a Gothic chapel in the 13th centurye century, and a Renaissance style bell tower from XVIe century. The west facade, a masterpiece of the Classical Renaissance (1537-1551), is distinguished by its Doric and Ionic columns framing a portal with a semi-circular vault. The nave, with a bay added in the 19th centurye century, displays a mixture of styles. Inside, the Saint-Côme chapel attracts attention with its beautiful Romanesque capitals.

Detail of the Renaissance facade ©Wikipedia

Saint-Martin Church in Mesnil-Amelot

Church of Saint-Martin du Mesnil-Amelot © JY Lacôte

Saint Martin's Church, built between 1520 and 1550 at Mesnil-Amelot, displays the style flamboyant gothic with a discreet Renaissance touch on the capitals of the apse. Notable for its homogeneity, its monumental effect and its singular plan without transept or radiating chapels, it has slender proportions and careful molding. The elevation, spread over two levels, reveals high windows in the choir and blind walls in the nave. The restored polychromy and the altarpiece of the main altar from 1654 enrich its architecture. Classified as a Historic Monument since July 13, 1911, the Saint-Martin church bears witness to the elegance of flamboyant Gothic.

Detail of the flamboyant Gothic facade ©JY Lacôte

The two churches in Louvres

Saint-Justin de Louvres Church ©Wikipedia

At Louvres, the churches Saint Rieul (Tower) et Saint Justin Church face each other, linked to Saints Rieul and Justin, marking local history. The Saint Rieul Tower, from the 12th centurye century, sees its bell tower enhanced in the 13the. The Saint Justin Church, built at the end of the 11th centurye century, underwent modifications until the 16the. Under the supervision of Historic Monuments and with the financial support of the municipality, the two buildings are subject to constant renovations. Louvres is also planning the renovation of the Square de la Tour Saint Rieul, the site of important archaeological discoveries. The two churches have been classified as Historic Monuments since 1914.

Saint-Rieul Tower ©Wikipedia