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Origin and history

The chapel of the Old Astre, located 650 meters northeast of Sepvigny (Meuse), is the choir of an ancient Romanesque church of the 12th or early 13th century. It stands in the heart of a medieval cemetery, bordering the road leading to Chalaines. Its name Astre (or aister) traditionally refers to a cemetery surrounded by walls, often associated with a chapel. The building, partially walled in the 18th century, preserves votive stones sealed in its walls, testifying to past religious practices.

Inside, frescoes from the 16th century, still partially visible, illustrate significant religious scenes: the legend of the three dead and the three alive, the entrance of the elect to paradise, the Magi kings, or the last judgment. These paintings, dated from the first half of the sixteenth century, adorn the walls of the choir, the only vestige of the original church. The chapel was closed in 1757, as indicated by an inscription engraved at the height of the second span.

Classified as Historic Monument by decree of 11 November 1910 (or 19 November 1910 according to the sources), the chapel today belongs to the municipality of Sepvigny. Its Romanesque architecture, characterized by narrow windows and a door-side arch, makes it a rare example of medieval religious heritage preserved in the Greater East region. Votive stones, promising indulgences, recall its spiritual and community role throughout the centuries.

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