St. Aignan Church, Chartres, France

Saint Aignan Church was originally built around year 400, in the era of pre-Romanesque, by the bishop of Chartres - later his name has given as the name of the church. The church is considered as the most ancient parishes in Chartres. In its history, the church has suffered from several times fire in 12th, 13th and in the early 16th century. Most of the church was rebuilt after the latest misfortune in the 16th century.

The main portal in the center of the front facade was the only part of the church that preserved for the new church. The church also suffered several times of change function during the French Revolution - it was once served as a military hospital, then once became a prison and even as a fodder shop. It finally returned as a worship place in 1822.

References:

Discover Chartres

Religious sites in France

User Reviews

Philippe Bun (2 months ago)
Hidden gem, few blocks away from the main cathedral. Very interesting architectural design. Colorful stained glasses. Come early in the morning to enjoy the peaceful scenery.

Alan C (AlanC-LAUK) (2 years ago)
Free entry, a large church that’s most interesting inside, I would say it is more interesting than the cathedral because you have close views of the stained glass windows and the interior stonework and roof are all painted. In need of restoration work.

Gill & Alan Chard C (2 years ago)
Wonderful little church, a hidden gem a few hundred meters from Chartres cathedral. A great example of a medieval church dedicated to St Aignan with painted walls, tapestries and stained glass. Definitely worth a visit

Gill C (2 years ago)
Wonderful little church, a hidden gem a few hundred meters from Chartres cathedral. A great example of a medieval church dedicated to St Aignan with painted walls, tapestries and stained glass. Definitely worth a visit

dante 65 (2 years ago)
Beautiful old Renaissance church, colour scheme a contrast to the austere stone that dominates most churches in the area. Despite the run down state of the place the decor is still vibrant, but didn't seem to get many visitors. Let's hope it gets restored to its full glory soon. There are worrying cracks in the ambulatory, such that it was closed when we visited due to the risk of rockfall!

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Château de Falaise is best known as a castle, where William the Conqueror, the son of Duke Robert of Normandy, was born in about 1028. William went on to conquer England and become king and possession of the castle descended through his heirs until the 13th century when it was captured by King Philip II of France. Possession of the castle changed hands several times during the Hundred Years' War. The castle was deserted during the 17th century. Since 1840 it has been protected as a monument historique.

The castle (12th–13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag, was formerly the seat of the Dukes of Normandy. The construction was started on the site of an earlier castle in 1123 by Henry I of England, with the 'large keep' (grand donjon). Later was added the 'small keep' (petit donjon). The tower built in the first quarter of the 12th century contained a hall, chapel, and a room for the lord, but no small rooms for a complicated household arrangement; in this way, it was similar to towers at Corfe, Norwich, and Portchester, all in England. In 1202 Arthur I, Duke of Brittany was King John of England's nephew, was imprisoned in Falaise castle's keep. According to contemporaneous chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall, John ordered two of his servants to mutilate the duke. Hugh de Burgh was in charge of guarding Arthur and refused to let him be mutilated, but to demoralise Arthur's supporters was to announce his death. The circumstances of Arthur's death are unclear, though he probably died in 1203.

In about 1207, after having conquered Normandy, Philip II Augustus ordered the building of a new cylindrical keep. It was later named the Talbot Tower (Tour Talbot) after the English commander responsible for its repair during the Hundred Years' War. It is a tall round tower, similar design to the towers built at Gisors and the medieval Louvre.Possession of the castle changed hands several times during the Hundred Years' War. The castle was deserted during the 17th century. Since 1840, Château de Falaise has been recognised as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.

A programme of restoration was carried out between 1870 and 1874. The castle suffered due to bombardment during the Second World War in the battle for the Falaise pocket in 1944, but the three keeps were unscathed.

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