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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church Saint-Nicolas du Mesnil-Simon, located in the Eure-et-Loir department in the Centre-Val de Loire region, was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is distinguished by its architecture blending nave, apse four-sided, low-right side and 15th century square bell tower, typical of the rural churches of this period. The building is surrounded by a cemetery where is located the mausoleum of Nicolas Malebranche, classified as a historical monument in 1963, adding a heritage and memorial dimension to the site.

The church preserves remarkable furniture, including a 16th century stained glass window depicting the Tree of Jesse, classified in 1906, as well as a funerary slab of Jean du Bec and Marguerite de Guainville, also dated from the 16th century. These elements illustrate the artistic and religious importance of the place. The church as a whole was listed as historical monuments in 1971, recognizing its architectural and historical value.

The monument reflects medieval stylistic evolutions, with 15th century arches and pillars separating the nave from the lower side. Its location on 2 Rue de la Libération, confirmed by the Mérimée and Monumentum bases, makes it an anchor of the local heritage. Owned by the commune, the church remains a testimony to the religious and funeral practices of the region since the Middle Ages.

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