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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativity church of Donnemarie, located in Donnemarie-Dontilly (Seine-et-Marne), was built mainly in the first half of the 13th century, on the remains of a Benedictine priory of the 12th century. Its bell tower retains a Romanesque base, while its Gothic nave, 13th century stained glass windows and carved portals illustrate medieval art. A Renaissance cloister, erected in the 16th century at the site of the old monastic cemetery, now houses a medicinal plant garden.

Ranked as a historical monument in 1846 for the church and in 1921 for the cloister, it bears witness to the architectural evolution between Roman and Gothic. Its western portals, mutilated during the Revolution, present carved tympanums (Christ in majesty, Virgin in glory) and column statues of apostles. The southern gate, spared, shows a Maestà surrounded by Benedictine monks, highlighting the link with the former priory.

Inside, the three-level nave (archs, triforium, high windows) and its vaults on dogive cross-sections are home to ancient stained glass windows, including a 13th century rosette illustrating the Last Judgment. The cloister, with its chestnut galleries and Renaissance portal, leads to a funeral chapel and a symbolic garden inspired by the twelve apostles. The ensemble reflects both medieval spirituality and the botanical knowledge of the time.

Furniture, such as stone and cast iron baptismal fonts or 18th century wrought iron fences, complete this heritage. The site, a communal property, remains a rare example in France of a preserved church-cloister complex, mixing religious, memorial and educational functions (garden of the simple).

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