Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Matthieu, located in the heart of Bures-sur-Yvette in Essonne, is a religious building marked by a composite architecture. Originally built in 1224, it consists of a main nave flanked by two sides, each completed by an apse. The cul-de-four choir and the vaults in a full-scale cradle characterize its style. Two chapels, dedicated to the Virgin and Saints Leu and Gilles, as well as a sacristy, complete the whole. The mill walls, partially covered with a sepia coating, and the square bell tower, flanked by foothills, testify to its architectural evolution.

The oldest parts, the bell tower and the chapel of the Virgin, date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The building was enlarged in 1504 by Antoine Sanguin, Cardinal of Meudon, who took his present form. The summital cross of the bell tower was added in 1763. In 1895, the facade was covered with a sepia painting, which was stripped in 1971 during a restoration carried out by volunteers. The church houses a protected furniture, including a bell of 1756, a 16th century funeral slab, and paintings inspired by Pierre Mignard.

The Saint-Matthieu church has been listed as a Heritage of Regional Interest since 18 November 2020. Its history reflects the architectural and religious transformations of the region, from the Middle Ages to contemporary restorations. Furniture, such as the statue of the Virgin and Child (17th century) or the frescoes of the choir, enrich its artistic and historical heritage.

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