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Origin and history

The Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, located in Villé, Lower Rhine, is a religious building built between 1754 and 1758 by Joseph Elmerich, according to the plans of architect Jean-Baptiste-Alexandre Chassan. This building illustrates 18th century religious architecture in Alsace, with a structure characteristic of this period.

The building was partially modernized in the 20th century, including the addition of glass windows and a painted triumphal arch. These more recent elements contrast with the original structure, reflecting the evolution of artistic techniques and liturgical needs over the centuries.

The church was added to the additional inventory of historic monuments on 15 December 2015, recognizing its heritage value. This protection covers the entire building, including its 18th and 20th century interior decorations, as described in the registration order.

At the time of the construction of the church, Villé, an Alsatian commune in the Bas-Rhin department, was a village marked by rural and artisanal life. Parish churches, like Notre-Dame-de-l'Assumption, played a central role in community life, serving as a place of worship, assembly and identity symbol for the inhabitants.

The Alsace region, which is now part of the Great East, has had a turbulent history between French and Germanic influences. The religious monuments of this period often bear witness to this cultural duality, although the church of Villé is further reflected in the French Baroque tradition, typical of the eighteenth century.

The construction work, conducted under the direction of Chassain, is part of an architectural renewal in Alsace, where many churches have been rebuilt or embellished to meet the needs of a growing population and the demands of the local clergy.

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