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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Juvin in Sainte-Vaubourg, located in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region, came into being in the 9th century when Charles the Simple built a first building to house the relics of Saint Walburge, freshly canonized. This place of worship, close to the Roman way from Reims to Trier, was transformed in 1102 into a priory dependent on the abbey of Notre-Dame de Molesme. The present parish church, dedicated to Notre-Dame, was built from 1482, although its popular name, Saint-Juvin, differs from its official dedication.

The present building presents a remarkable architectural mix, with a nave and vaulted bottoms on cross-pieces of warheads, typical of late Gothic, and a north transept rebuilt in 1624, illustrating the additions of the Renaissance. The portal, adorned with small relief sculptures depicting partridges and Saints in the round-bosse, dates back to the 15th century, while the choir, enriched with stuccos, marbles and medallions of the 18th century, bears witness to later beautifications. Four 16th century stained glass windows, located in the transept, are among the most valuable elements of the church.

Ranked a historic monument since 1862, this church is distinguished by its geographical isolation, located 500 metres from the village, between the latter and the ancient Roman Way. His high altar, supported by four Corinthian columns, and his bas-reliefs dedicated to the Annunciation and Adoration of the Magi, underline his artistic and religious importance. The hooked gables and the Renaissance niche of the North Transept complete to make this monument a significant example of the Ardennes heritage.

Historical sources also mention wood vants carved from the 15th century, protected by double vants, as well as a statue of Saint Vaubourg, local patron saint. The study by Jules Lefranc (1919) and the references to the art of stone tailors in the region (Henri Manceau, 1955) underline the importance of this monument in the architectural history of the Ardennes, linked both to Roman trade routes and to the influence of Burgundy abbeys like Molesme.

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