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Origin and history

Écouen's tithe barn is an emblematic building located in the commune of Écouen in Île-de-France. Built mainly in the 14th and 17th centuries, it illustrates the architecture linked to the collection of tithes, tax in kind levied by the Church or lords in the Middle Ages. This type of building was used to store crops (cereals, wine, etc.) before redistribution or sale, playing a central role in the local economy and community life.

The monument has been included in the inventory of Historical Monuments since 4 December 1985, under the cadastral reference AH 222. Owned by the municipality of Écouen, it is located in Place de la Mairie, although geolocalized sources also mention an approximate address at the 9000 Rue du Marché. The accuracy of its location is estimated as "passible" (note 5/10), perhaps reflecting uncertainties about its exact location or urban developments.

The tithe barns were strategic places in medieval and modern villages. In Écouen, as elsewhere in Île-de-France, they symbolized the economic power of religious or seigneurial institutions. Their architecture, which is often robust and functional, was designed to withstand weather and flight, guaranteeing food conservation. Today, these buildings offer a material testimony of the agro-economic systems of the Ancien Régime.

Available sources, including the Monumentum database and the Merimée data, highlight its heritage status but do not specify its current use (visits, rentals, etc.). A photo licensed by Creative Commons, credited to N Tcheng, documents the monument, while its detailed history and possible contemporary developments remain partially known.

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