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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Martin-et-Saint-Blaise de Louveciennes, located in the Yvelines in Île-de-France, has its origins between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Only the current bedside bears witness to this medieval period. The building, originally Romanesque or primitive Gothic style, has undergone major modifications over the centuries, including a radical transformation in 1818 by architect François Collet-Duclos, who removed two spans of the nave and rebuilt the western gate.

In 1817-1818 Collet-Duclos proposed an ambitious neo-classical reconstruction project, including a dome rotunda, but it was not carried out. The church was restored again between 1880 and 1891 under the direction of architects P. Naples and Louis Petitgrand. These works concerned the east gable, the lower side, the frame, and the reconstruction of the bell tower in 1891 on consolidated piles. The building, composed of a nave with three collaterals and surmounted by a slate bell tower, was classified as historical monuments in 1889.

The interventions of the 19th century have long marked the present aspect of the church, mixing medieval heritage and modern additions. The works of that time also included elements of sculpture, lock, pavement and glazing, reflecting the artistic and technical standards of the time. Today, the church remains an architectural testimony of stylistic evolutions and practices of restoration of historical monuments in France.

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