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Origin and history

The Saint-Germain de Gagny church in Seine-Saint-Denis is a Catholic building dedicated to Saint Germain. It replaces an old parish church dating from the 11th century, which housed the burial of Marie de Rohan, Duchess of Chevreuse, buried in 1679. This medieval building, damaged by a storm in 1788, was demolished in 1838, resulting in the disappearance of numerous funeral slabs, including that of the Duchess, later found at the Château de Dampierre.

The reconstruction of the present church took place in 1839, followed by his blessing by Bishop Blanquart de Bailleul, bishop of Versailles. The bell tower, added in 1926, is covered with slate. Archaeological excavations conducted in 2015 revealed Carolingian remains and traces of burials on the site, confirming its ancient occupation. The church, from plan to Latin cross, houses a fresco by Maurice Denis, La Bataille de la Marne (1920), and remains an active place of worship.

Located in the heart of the historic centre of Gagny, the church is surrounded by a quadrilateral bounded by modern streets, replacing an old park with music kiosk. The medieval cemetery, formerly located in front of the facade, extended northward. The building has undergone major restorations, notably in 1995 (inner paints) and after 2015 (repair related to the opening of a new street).

The Saint Germain church is also a stage of the pilgrimage of Notre-Dame-des-Anges, highlighting its spiritual role in the region. Its history reflects the urban and religious transformations of Gagny, from medieval times to today.

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