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Origin and history

The Church of Notre-Dame de Liart, located in the Ardennes, is a fortified church built mainly in the sixteenth century, in a context of tensions between the Kingdom of France and the German Empire. In 1546, François I encouraged local fortifications, which led to the construction of defensive towers and protective systems such as gunboats. The choir, financed by the abbey of Sainte-Nicaise in Reims, and the tower-porch, taken over by the inhabitants, illustrate a collaboration between clergy and population to guard against invasions.

The nave, originally built in the economy, was rebuilt in 1859 by architect Ryambault de Rocroi. The building, which was inscribed in the historic monuments in 1926, retained significant defensive elements: a dungeon-shaped peg tower, turrets surrounding the bedside, and a burrow protecting the entrance. Inside, the ogival vaulted nave and the 16th-century choir, vaulted with liernes and thirdons, house a shelter room accessible by stairs in the turrets.

The furniture includes remarkable objects such as two 16th century snakes (now at the National Archaeology Museum), a 17th century Baroque glory, and 19th century stained glass windows. These represent the local legend of the discovery of a statue of the Virgin under the ivy, as well as a reproduction of a painting by Ary Scheffer. These elements reflect both the religious role and the defensive function of the building, characteristic of the fortified churches of Thierache.

The church also bears witness to architectural adaptations over the centuries, such as the reconstruction of the nave or the addition of a stone arch dated 1786 for the choir. Its inscription as a historic monument in 1926 underscores its heritage value, mixing medieval heritage, Renaissance, and subsequent transformations. The recurrent conflicts in the region have thus shaped a building both a place of worship and a community fortress.

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