The best traffic-free bike rides around Brezolles

The Saint-Eloi Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Crécy-Couvé is currently being restored. The spire of its bell tower, which was leaning dangerously, has been dismantled and is currently stored in the church awaiting restoration.

The Church of Saint-Éloi-Saint-Jean-Baptiste is believed to have originally been the chapel of the Château de Couvé, the first known mention of which dates back to 1215. This château belonged to the Abbey of Saint Père de Chartres. The layout of this chapel is currently unknown. Observing the architectural features of the current church allows us to place its construction between the 15th and 16th centuries. Improvement and modernization work were undertaken in the second half of the 18th century when Louis XV offered the Crécy estate to the Marquise de Pompadour: enlargement of the medieval windows, construction of an altarpiece forming a sacristy, a choir enclosure, and a gallery that could replace an older structure providing access to the attic. During this work, it is assumed that some of the bell tower's supports were removed to free up the nave and harmonize the interior spaces. After a prosperous period, the 19th and 20th centuries saw a slow deterioration of the building, despite some maintenance work being carried out on the roofs and other parts of the church that required it. It was only in 1901 that major work was undertaken, with the repair of the bell tower roof. This was followed in 1925 by work to consolidate the bell tower structures and repair the roofs of the western part of the nave. The bell tower and spire are tilting significantly to the south, linked to a failure of the old supports and the deterioration of the supporting structures, requiring urgent safety and restoration work.

The Rond des Quatres Barrières is a historic monument dating from the 18th century. It was built by the Duke of Penthièvre, owner of the neighboring castle of Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais. The Rond des Quatres Barrières is made up of four stone arches which form a circle, with a fountain in the center. It is located in the middle of the forest. The Rond des Quatres Barrières is the ideal place to visit during a running race.

The Château d'Escorpain is a 16th century castle which belonged to the famous Firmin-Didot family of printers and publishers. You can admire the elegant facade and the imposing portal of the castle, classified as historical monuments. You can also discover the surrounding countryside, crossed by the Pluche, a tributary of the Avre. You will appreciate the green landscapes and the peaceful atmosphere of this rural village.

The Rond des Quatres Barrières is a historical monument dating from the 18th century. It was built by the Duke of Penthièvre, who owned the neighboring castle of Châteauneuf-En-Thymerais. The Rond des Quatres Barrières is made up of four stone arches that form a circle, with a fountain in the center. It is located in the middle of the forest. The Rond des Quatres Barrières is a peaceful and charming place to visit, especially in the spring or fall when the trees are in bloom or changing color.

Buying this castle dating originally from the 15th century, Alfred Firmin-Didot, owner of the printing press at Mesnil-sur-l'Estrée, not far from here, undertook the restoration of the building in 1879. In particular, he had the sheepfold transformed into a library. which hosts the works published at the family printing house. His descendants remained the owners of this estate, which they bring back to life through various activities.

The Holy Cross is a term often used in Catholic prayer. Every prayer begins with the “sign of the cross”. It is this sign that Christians have chosen - after that of the fish which signifies the resurrection of the dead - to emphasize the most astonishing Christian originality: Jesus Christ, God the Son (in the uniqueness of the One God Trinity) did not jealously retain the rank which equaled him to God, but he annihilated himself, taking the condition of a servant. Recognized as a man by his appearance, he humbled himself before obedience until death, and death on the Cross, which thus becomes "the Holy Cross". Through the Holy Cross, God shows that he takes upon himself all our suffering. That He did not create them, and that He does not desire it for us. The question of suffering is treated on the Holy Cross, not in a rationalist way, but in a human, complete and initiatory way, revealing the depth of the human question, in all that is spiritual and paradoxical. Our ancestors meditated on this from generation to generation, and named certain churches "Holy Cross" as a sign of their faith and their boldness.