The best traffic-free bike rides around Saint-Léger-Des-Aubées

The Saint-Lubin church of Coltainville is a religious monument located in the commune of Coltainville, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Although its name suggests a dedication to Saint Lubin, bishop of Chartres in the 6th century, the available sources do not specify its period of construction or its detailed history. This type of building, typical of the French countryside, often plays a central role in local life, both spiritually and communally. In the general context of the Centre-Val de Loire, parish churches like that of Coltainville were historically essential gathering places. They served not only for religious services, but also for social events, such as baptisms, weddings, or village assemblies. Their architecture and decoration often reflect local resources and know-how, as well as regional or national stylistic influences depending on the era.

In the 15th century, the original church, probably from the 12th century, was burned down. During the reconstruction, a side aisle was added. The bell tower dates from the late 19th century, as do the painted motifs on the walls.

According to tradition, the church choir covers the remains of an older building, possibly dating back to the 6th century, which was built to house the saint's body. According to current knowledge, the commune of Saint-Piat (Sanctus Piatus in Latin) officially appeared in 1087, mentioned in a charter of the Nottonville Priory (Eure-et-Loir), on which it depended. The current building was rebuilt during the time of Francis I, as suggested by the date 1535 engraved on two buttresses of the apse and the date 1542 engraved on a piece of wood from the vault. This is according to a study by the SAEL (Eure-et-Loir Archaeological Society). The three-sided apses, the dripstone towers (horizontal members projecting from a wall), and the sculpted roof structures are a testament to the importance of the reconstructions carried out in the department during the 16th century. The church of Saint-Piat is one of them. While the church has not been officially recognized, it nevertheless contains objects that have attracted attention both for their antiquity and quality, but not always for good reason. Their artistic value, far from attracting only religious or aesthetic interest, has also aroused a covetousness that, unfortunately, remains for some of them. Fortunately, those still in place are carefully cared for and offer the curious a story to discover, a beauty to slowly ponder as they progress toward the choir.

The town's monumental heritage is defined by the Church of Saint-Cyr and Sainte-Julitte. Built in the 12th century, the building underwent numerous modifications during the 13th, 15th, and 16th centuries. The apse sanctuary is lit by five 12th-century Romanesque windows, while the choir and nave date from the 13th century. Like some fifty churches around Chartres, the Huguenots set fire to the church of Jouy in 1568. However, the walls were not destroyed. Only the building's portal is listed as a Historic Monument by decree of December 30, 1913. This listing was motivated by the architecture of the portal, which features foliate capitals. Nevertheless, the church also has a rectangular tower, a polygonal staircase turret, and a wooden vaulted tower.

Before 528, the village of Saint-Prest was called Saint-Jean-sur-Eure. At that time, the Bishop of Chartres, Ethère, had a building built adjoining the southern flank of the parish church, including a "martyrium" to house the remains of holy martyrs (the legend of Saint-Prest), which were placed in ten sarcophagi. The most honored relics were those of a certain Priscus; following numerous miracles, the parish took the name of Saint-Prest. The current church's crypt is the apse of the 9th-century Carolingian church, which replaced a 6th-century sanctuary. Access to the 12th-century nave, on the west side, is through a beautiful Romanesque portal, carved from beautiful limestone, surmounted by a triple saw-tooth archivolt and framed by two small columns with capitals. On the right, a face would be that of Eve, and on the left would appear the tempting serpent.

Many centuries ago, our ancestors discovered the possibility of harnessing the power of the elements—which, while helpful and useful on the one hand, could also be a threat as untamed forces of nature—for various purposes, thus eliminating the need for human or animal muscle power. Mills like these are a good example of the human engineering skills of earlier generations: The heavy millstones used to grind grain or press oil, for example, could be powered by wind or—as in this case—water.

In the village of Houville (parish of the Epiphany), the crypt, closed for decades, was reopened on February 1, 2020. It contains a well and wall paintings dating back to the 12th century. This crypt is therefore an important place in the village's history, a place of pilgrimage to Saint Léger, with a miraculous spring! Houville also saw the conversion of Célestine Paragot at the end of the 17th century, who, with her strong personality, led the villagers to Christ. This village figure encountered Christ while convalescing after a fall, and her conversion attracted many people. The church and presbytery were expanded and decorated, and thus Houville became known as Houville the Saint, or the Island of Sanctity. The village's vocation continued into the 20th century, as the hamlet (now home to 450 people) offered the Lord 8 priests and 8 nuns, one of whom was at the Visitation. During the war, the crypt served as a refuge for the arrival of German troops, as evidenced by the initials HF that François Heurtault inscribed in June 1940.

beautiful church with an imposing facade