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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles, located in Saint-Leu-la-Forêt in Val-d'Oise, replaces a 12th century primitive church, demolished in 1686. A second church, built in 1690, was destroyed in the 19th century to give way to the present building. The latter was erected in 1851 under the impetus of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, the future Napoleon III, who entrusted the design to architect Joseph-Eugène Lacroix. Inspired by the Basilica of St. Apollinaire-le-Neuf of Ravenna, the church adopts a basilical plan and an adorned facade, with a distinct bell tower decorated with Italian Renaissance mouldings.

The church houses in its crypt the tombs of four members of the Bonaparte family: Louis Bonaparte (king of Holland and brother of Napoleon I), his sons Napoleon Charles and Napoleon Louis, as well as the empty tomb of Charles Bonaparte, father of Napoleon I. The latter, originally buried here, saw his remains transferred to Ajaccio in 1951. The building was consecrated in 1851 in the presence of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte and labeled "Heritage of Regional Interest" in 2022.

The history of the church is closely linked to Louis Bonaparte, who settled in Saint-Leu-la-Forêt in 1804 before becoming king of Holland. After his abdication in 1810, he asked in his will to be buried with his sons. The church, which fell into ruins, was rebuilt in 1851 to honor this will. Its architecture combines Italian influences with classical elements, such as the arches of the facade or the bell tower's gemelated bays.

The main façade, facing south-west, features a large mosaïque tympanic portal, framed by two side gates leading to the collaterals. The bell tower, located in front of the north-east facade, features clocks and Renaissance decorations. The interior, less described, is distinguished by its funeral crypt, place of memory of the Bonaparte in exile or disappeared prematurely.

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