Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Nativity of Notre Dame, located in the hamlet of Vassy in Etaule (Yonne), was built between 1859 and 1862 at the initiative of the Gariel family. The 14th-century ogival-style monument features a Gothic façade and an imposing 45-metre-long structure consisting of three naves and five spans. A bell tower topped by an arrow dominates the building, while a crypt houses the funeral vault of the Gariels, sponsors of the project.

The architecture of the church combines neo-Gothic elements with medieval references, reflecting the 19th century taste for historical styles. The Gariel family, probably local or patrons, played a central role in its construction, as evidenced by their burial in the crypt. This stylistic choice is part of a wider trend of restoration or imitation of medieval religious buildings in France at that time.

The church was listed as historic monuments by order of 5 August 2020, thus recognizing its heritage value. This classification covers the entire building, including its interior and exterior components, as well as its immediate environment. The property today belongs to the commune of Étaule, in the department of Yonne, in the region Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

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