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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Vaast de Boran-sur-Oise, located in the Oise department in the Hauts-de-France region, is a religious building whose origins date back to at least the eighth century. Its oldest parts, dating from 1180 to 1230, are of primitive Gothic style, including the nave and part of the lower side. The facade, with its elegant portal, is slightly posterior, while the chapel of the baptismal fonts, located at the southwest corner, may have been added later. The choir hall, characteristic of the region, was rebuilt between 1480 and 1550 in a flamboyant Gothic style, with renaissant influences visible in the capitals.

The 49-metre-high bell tower is a remarkable feature of the building, built in the 16th century. It houses a bronze bell dating from 1560, classified as a historic monument in 1908. The church was classified as historical monuments on 12 March 1942 to protect its bell tower from the destruction demanded by German occupants during the Second World War. After restorations in the early 21st century, it remained an active place of worship, affiliated with the parish of Saint-Louis de Précy-sur-Oise.

The interior of the church is marked by an un vaulted nave, illuminated indirectly by the sides and the choir. The large arcades of the nave, falling on monocylindrical pillars, are of a good effect, although without mouldings. The choir hall, vaulted with warheads, is distinguished by its flat bedside and its three vessels of the same height. The stained glass windows, including that of the Passion of Christ dating back to 1535, as well as statues and furniture, such as the 16th century beam of glory, enrich the artistic heritage of the building.

The church's history is marked by periods of reconstruction and transformation, especially after the Hundred Years' War, which probably damaged the building. The French Revolution also left traces, with the partial destruction of the furniture and the death of the parish priest Pierre Brisse, deported and killed in 1792. Despite these trials, the church has retained much of its heritage, including tombstones dating from the 16th and 18th centuries, sealed in the ground.

Externally, the church has a sober facade, scanned by foothills and a 13th century portal. The bell tower, with its three floors and its stone arrow, dominates the landscape. The lateral elevations and the bedside, though sober, are animated by the flamboyant reamped windows. The ensemble forms a coherent building, witness to the architectural and artistic evolutions of the region over centuries.

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