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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Précy-sur-Oise, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, is a religious building whose oldest parts date back to the late 12th century. His choir, of primitive Gothic style, is marked by a refined architecture inspired by Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The nave, rebuilt from 1570 under the impulse of the seigneur Louis de Saint-Gelais, adopts a late Gothic style, while the Renaissance is already booming. The bell tower, on the other hand, combines elements from the 13th, 16th and 18th centuries, reflecting the different construction campaigns.

The church is deeply marked by its turbulent history. During the French Revolution, she suffered desecrations and destruction, including the loss of her reliquaries and the desecration of the tombs of the lords of Precy. The stained glass windows, damaged during the 1944 bombings, were restored after the war. The building, which was listed as a historic monument in 1950, benefited from several restoration campaigns, notably for its stained glass windows and organ, classified as an object in 1980.

Inside, the church houses rich furniture, including a 13th or 14th century medieval stone altarpiece, classified as a historical monument, as well as remarkable statues and funerary slabs. The choir, treated with exceptional refinement, evokes the influence of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, while the nave, more sober, offers an atmosphere of recollection. The church always plays a central role in parish life, with regularly celebrated Masses.

The furniture also includes a 19th century organ, restored in 1987, which was played by Gabriel Fauré during his visits to Précy-sur-Oise. The stained glass windows, partly rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries, add an artistic dimension to the building. Among the notable elements are well-preserved funerary slabs, including that of Jehan de l'Amaury, a 17th-century knight, and classified paintings, such as David's return winner of Goliath.

The church is surrounded by a well-developed landscaped environment, with lawns bordering its lateral elevations. Its flat bedside, particularly harmonious, and its bow-buttons bear witness to the ingenuity of medieval masterpieces. Today, Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Church remains an active place of worship and a major architectural testimony to the religious and seigneurial history of Precy-sur-Oise.

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