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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Aubin de Jouy-le-Châtel, located in Seine-et-Marne, is a religious building whose early construction dates back to the 11th century, as evidenced by parts of the building and archives of the Gallia Christiana. At that time it belonged to the chaplains of the Cathedral of Reims, confirmed in possession by Manassès II, Archbishop of Reims (1096-1106). The present church, built between 1100 and 1130 in the primitive Gothic style, is distinguished by its local sandstone architecture and its characteristic bell tower, while displaying a Champagne influence in its interior.

The monument follows a Benedictine plan, with a nave flanked by two sides ending with chapels today used as sacristies. The bell tower, dating from the 13th century, originally housed two bells and has monolithic slabs of shale, a rare arrangement. The current bell, melted in 1889 by Farnier Frères, is the largest in the canton of Nangis with a diameter of 128 cm. Major transformations took place in the 16th century, notably with the addition of the southern collateral and visible modifications on the engravings of Claude Chastillon.

The church, which has been included in the additional inventory of historic monuments since 28 April 1926, is part of the old medieval enclosure of the village, bounded by the present street of the Fossés. The ramparts, poorly maintained as early as the 14th century, were partially ceded to individuals in the 18th century before being reused or destroyed. Inside, the choir preserves liturgical elements of the 15th century (piscine, cabinets), while the vaults of the nave, originally planched, were laid in the 19th century. The ensemble, whitened in the 18th century, reflects a rich architectural and community history.

The site, owned by the commune, illustrates the evolution of a rural religious building, marked by regional influences (Champagne, Île-de-France) and continuous adaptations to liturgical and defensive needs. The narrow gaps and quarrels of the 19th century around their use recall the tensions between heritage and local development. Today, the church remains a testimony of primitive Gothic art and medieval life in Brie.

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