Farm Foundation XIIe siècle (≈ 1250)
Construction by the monks of Soissons.
XVIe siècle
Construction of the dovecote
Construction of the dovecote XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Only authentic vestige preserved.
3 février 1995
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 3 février 1995 (≈ 1995)
Protection of the dovecote by order.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Colombia (Case A 19): Order of 3 February 1995
Key figures
Moines de l'abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Vignes - Founders and owners
Creators of the farm in the twelfth.
Origin and history
La ferme de Neuville-Saint-Jean is a farm located in Launoy, in the department of Aisne, in the Hauts-de-France region. This place belongs to the municipality of Launoy and derives its name from its monastic origin: "Neuville" means "new farm", while "Saint-Jean" indicates its membership of the abbey Saint-Jean-des-Vignes de Soissons. Founded in the 12th century by monks of this abbey, it was a medieval agricultural establishment.
From this old monastic farm, there are today only a few medieval architectural remains integrated into more recent constructions, as well as the dovecote of the sixteenth century. The latter, classified as a historical monument in 1995, is the only authentic element still preserved. It has remarkable architectural features: a vaulted ground floor on a cross of warheads, bolt holes on the upper floor, a swivel ladder, and outer edge bands to protect the building from rodents. The octagonal tower, covered with a dome of stone, bears witness to the historic significance of this site.
The Neuville-Saint-Jean farm illustrates the economic and agricultural role of abbeys in the Middle Ages. These religious establishments often owned land and farms operated by monks or peasants, thus contributing to local life. The dovecote, a symbol of seigneurial or monastic wealth, was used to raise pigeons, a valuable food and economic resource in medieval times. Its classification in 1995 highlights the heritage value of this vestige, the only witness to Launoy's monastic history.
