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Origin and history

The Sainte-Geneviève church of Asnières-sur-Seine, located in the Hauts-de-Seine, is mentioned for the first time in 1158 by a papal bubble of Adrien IV, confirming its existence with a dedicated cemetery. Although its exact foundation remains unknown, the local tradition is associated with the family of Geneviève, owner of land between Nanterre, Gennevilliers and Asnières. An earlier building, consecrated in 1541 by Bishop Jean Guillaume, was rebuilt in the early eighteenth century because of its insufficient size.

The construction of the present church, financed by Abbé Antoine Lemoyne, spanned from 1703 to 1711 and was consecrated by the bishop of Noailles. The building, of sober style, incorporates translatable relics of Saint-Denis. In the 19th century, major changes took place: reconstruction of the bell tower in 1867 by architect Lequeux, restoration of the vaults between 1813 and 1815, and addition of two lower sides between 1929 and 1932 under the direction of architect Bourdeau. The bell tower, damaged during the 1870 war, was rehabilitated in 1872 with the installation of new bells, offered in 1868 by Napoleon III and the Empress.

The church is home to notable historical remains, such as the entrails of the Duchess of Brunswick-Lunebourg (d. 1730), buried in the building, and fragments of 15th century tombstones. The parish, marked by Jansenist influence in the 18th century under Father Jacques Jubé, introduced early liturgical reforms. Today, the church remains an active place of worship, with Sunday Masses and a recognized heritage role since its inscription in historical monuments in 1929.

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