The best road cycling routes around Janville

The Church of Saint-Martin de Gommerville (Eure-et-Loir) dates back to the 12th century, the era of its initial foundation in the Romanesque style. Here are the main stages of its history and architectural evolution: The main stages of its construction • 12th century (Origins): Erection of the initial church. From this early Romanesque period, the building notably retains the south transept with a characteristic ribbed vault. In 1180, the patronage of the church was officially ceded to the abbey of Valmont by Robert d'Estouteville. • 18th century: The church underwent significant modifications. The nave, a large part of the crossing tower, and the north transept arm were entirely rebuilt during this period. • 19th century (Renovations): In 1825, the current chancel was built by the stonemason Turquetille (who left an engraved inscription there). Later, in 1844, the architect Brunet-Debaines added the sacristy. The impact of the French Revolution During the Revolution (early 1794), the church suffered from the waves of dechristianization. Its assets, furniture, and pews were seized and sold by the municipality. True to the history of many churches in the region, its bells were taken down and then melted down to manufacture cannons for the revolutionary armies.

The Church of Saint-Martin de Gommerville finds its origins in the 12th century, the era of its initial foundation in the Romanesque style. Here are the main stages of its history and architectural evolution: The main stages of its construction • 12th century (Origins): Erection of the initial church. From this early Romanesque period, the building notably retains the south transept with a characteristic ribbed vault. In 1180, the patronage of the church is officially ceded to the abbey of Valmont by Robert d'Estouteville. • 18th century: The church underwent significant modifications. The nave, a large part of the crossing tower, and the north arm of the transept were entirely rebuilt during this period. • 19th century (Developments): In 1825, the current choir was built by the mason Turquetille (who left an engraved inscription there). Later, in 1844, the architect Brunet-Debaines added the sacristy. The impact of the French Revolution During the Revolution (early 1794), the church suffered the waves of dechristianization. Its goods, furniture, and pews were seized and sold by the commune. True to the history of many churches in the region, its bells were taken down and melted to make cannons for the revolutionary armies.

In 1511, the inhabitants of La Ville-du-Bois, a simple hamlet dependent on Nozay, obtained from Admiral de Graville, lord of Marcoussis, the free cession of a plot of land to build a chapel there. This chapel was erected as a branch of Nozay in 1533 and enlarged to the north in 1548. The construction of the bell tower took place in 1647. The current nave dates from 1691 (date shown, first nave arcade, north side). In 1698 the north aisle was enlarged by two bays to the west (date shown, first and second choir arcades, north side). The south aisle was built in 1736. In 1795, the church was endowed with its current furnishings from the church of the Celestins monastery in Marcoussis. The nave vault was restored in 1847 by Bilbaust, an architect in Montlhéry. In 1867, the gable roof of the bell tower was replaced by a zinc spire.

Attached to the castle, the 13th-century church was burned down in the 15th century. Rebuilt, it was consecrated in 1539. The lords of Oysonville could pass from the castle to the church through a door opening onto a platform at the back of the church without mixing with the people. The altarpiece, the churchwarden's pew and the pulpit are from the 18th century. In the 19th century, the paneling of the nave was replaced by a plaster vault. Many tombstones are visible.

It was at the request of the parishioners of Orgères that the decision was made to demolish the old church. Typically, this type of partial or total destruction comes from the religious hierarchy. The current church was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century. The reconstruction is quite successful, judging by the choice of materials and the proportions of the building. The stained-glass windows created by the master glazier Loire are perfectly integrated into this new ensemble.

The Saint-Liphard church features a crescent moon at the top of its bell tower, the emblem of Avignon's last known pope, Benedict XIII, known as Pedro de Luna. At least three of its stained-glass windows are by the master glassmaker Charles Lorin from Chartres, including one depicting Saint Paul (1920) and a second depicting the Virgin and Child (1923). In 2019, a fundraising campaign was sponsored by the Fondation du Patrimoine, and work began.

The nave consists of a main nave and an aisle to the north. A bell tower is located to the south, as well as a seigneurial chapel. The choir consists of a straight bay and a semicircular apse. A first church was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries by Étienne de Denonville. It was modified in the 16th century by Pierre de Hémard. A seigneurial chapel was built shortly after the death of Jacques de Hémard, Lord of Denonville, in 1559. On the old vault, in 1658, one could still see "the coat of arms and blazons of the Hémard family, which are six sable burels, around which are the hat and cords of a cardinal from the family." The vault was rebuilt by the Brisay family in 1722. A project to extend the church was considered in 1755 but never carried out. The north aisle was built in 1770.

The tower of the church of Sainville, as well as the choir and the first three bays of the main nave, are in the Transitional Romanesque style from the end of the 12th century; the rest of the main nave and the side aisles appear to date only from the 15th century. The bell tower contains three bells. The largest, listed as a historic monument, is engraved with a quatrain: "Founded smokes all new I am the Patron of Sainville, I bear the name of St. Peter. In the year 1014. XLIX." (1549) The second, from 1821, bears this inscription: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people." Gospel of Saint Luke, chapter 1, verse 68. The third is located above the other two.