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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Blaise de Leffincourt, located in the Ardennes, was built mainly in the 16th century, although some elements, such as the Western Romanesque portal, were earlier than the 12th century. This gate, surmounted by a broken arch and a rosette, is a vestige of the previous church. The present building, in Latin cross, features a vaulted nave on a dogive cross, from the lower side to the windows of the late sixteenth century, and a five-sided choir adorned with capitals carved of thorns and rinceaux. The Renaissance-style southern gate dates back to the reconstruction following the fire of 1649, caused by Erlach's troops during the Fronde Wars.

The fire of 1649, which ravaged Leffincourt on May 1, 2 and 3, destroyed the vaults of the church and left visible traces on the southern gate. The current stained glass windows, installed at the end of the 19th century, probably replace those lost during this event or other conflicts that affected the building. Between the two world wars, a memorial to the dead was erected inside, reflecting the upheavals suffered by the local community. The church, surrounded by an ancient cemetery also protected, was listed as historical monuments in 1948 for its architectural and historical interest.

The interior furniture includes remarkable pieces, such as a wooden statue of Christ with ties (XVI century), a stone representation of Saint Nicaise, bishop cephalophore, and an 18th century high altar with six Corinthian columns. A 15th century swimming pool, decorated with sculpted florets and heads, as well as a flamboyant style sink in the choir, illustrate the artistic richness of the building. The bell tower, overlooking the first span of the nave, and the ogival five-paned windows of the arbside complete to characterize this emblematic monument of Ardennes heritage.

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