Today, I am introducing you to a cultural wealth et patrimonial of the territory. The churches are the ink of each town or village of the Val d'Ardenne. Placed in the heart of the municipalities, most of them stand proudly and are visible from afar thanks to their imposing architectureSome have survived the centuries without ever losing their splendor, bearing witness to the region's eventful history, while others have been rebuilt or renovated over time, adapting to the times and the needs of the inhabitants.
They often house unsuspected treasuress: colorful stained glass windows, majestic bell towers, remarkable sculptures or surprising anecdotes. In this article, I offer you a journey through these emblematic monuments, to better understand their role, their evolution and their importance in the Ardennes heritage.
Saint-Lambert Church – Hargnies
THESaint-Lambert church, located in the center of the village of Hargnies, is built in arkose rubble from Haybes and presents a plan in Latin crossSince the Middle Ages, it has depended on the abbot of Laval-Dieu, a right dating from 1199.
This church also played a defensive role during the conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly during the wars between Charles V and Francis Ithen between France and SpainIn 1640 it was burned down by French troops, leading to its reconstruction in the mid-XNUMXth century, with an interior renovated in the XNUMXth century.
The church is not open permanently for security reasons, but it is possible to organize a free guided tour by reservation at the town hall, in collaboration with the Hargnies Heritage Association.
Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul – Haybes
THESaint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul church in Haybes, located north of the village near the Meuse, was rebuilt after the destruction of the old church in August 1914. The current building, inaugurated in 1927, was designed by the architect Lemasson and directed by Gustave Despas. Built in arkose rubble from Haybes according to a plan in Latin cross, it has limestone corner chains, cornices and bays. Two statues de Saint Peter and Saint Paul, probably from the previous church. The church is only open to the public during religious servicesx.
Former Recollect Church – Givet
This old church du XNUMXth century, is today used as party hall. This monument is therefore only visible from the outside.
Little anecdote: It is in this old church thatEtienne Nicolas Méhul, born in Givet in 1763, played his first notes of music with the old church organist.
Saint John the Baptist Church of Hierges
Jewel of the Mosan Renaissance,St. John the Baptist Church took over from a first chapel. The current church was built in 1579 by the lords of Hierges, Gilles de Berlaymont and his wife Lamberte de Croy. It is modeled on the church of Foisches and Charlemont. It is also possible to admire its beautiful portal with hammered coats of arms to the Revolution wearing a dedication plaque with this inscription: “Messire de Berlaimont and Dame Lamberte de Croy had this church built in honor of God and Saint John the Baptist 1579.” Inside, the church has remarkable furnishings dating from the end of the Middle Ages to the XNUMXth century.
Dominican Church – Revin
Built in the early 18th century, The church is distinguished by its facade in Red brick and its style inspired by theFlemish architecture of this time. After the departure of the Dominicans in 1792, she becomes parish church, the old cemetery church being abandoned due to its remoteness and its condition. A fire in 1886 destroyed the roof and the bell tower, but the interior artwork was preserved. During the restoration, a campanile was installed in place of the original bell tower. The church houses the statues of the monk Charles René Billuard and is listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments for 1926Inside, the pulpit and two carved oak confessionals are also protected.
Saint-Pierre d'Anchamps Church
Located to the east of the village of Anchamps, theChurch of St. Peter, built in local stone, has an elongated plan with a nave and a choir forming a single vessel ending in a three-sided apse. The square bell tower stands to the west, at the ridge of the nave. The walls are made of schist rubble, while the frames of the choir bays and the portal are made of blue Givet stone. The nave probably dates back to the 1766th century, the portal and the choir having been rebuilt in 1825, according to the date inscribed on the keystone of the arch. A restoration also took place in XNUMX, without specifying the part concerned. The church is only visible from the outside.
Notre-Dame Church – Givet
On right bank of Giftet,Notre-Dame church is in the Notre-Dame district.
Heavily damaged after the bombardment of 1675 by the troops of Marshal de Créquy, it was then rebuilt in 1686. Therefore, the bell tower dominates henceforth the Master Autel, a fairly exceptional case. Vauban integrated it into its overall plan of fortifications and urban planning, which aimed to unite the two banks of the Meuse into a single fortified city.
This church houses a painting by “The Crucifixion of the Lord” work of Rubens or Van Dyck.
In addition, theNotre-Dame church is located Vauban Square, emphasizing theimportance of the military engineer in the development of this district.
Saint-Hilaire Church – Givet
Located on the Carnot square, in the heart of the city. Rue de la Fausse Porte has the particularity of passing under the choir of the religious building by a beautiful stone vaultIt was destroyed by Marshal de Créquy in 1675 and was rebuilt under the direction of Vauban between 1682 and 1702.
You may not know the passage in “Letter V: Givet” from Voyage Volume I of Victor Hugo dated of 1838, in which he mocks from the bell tower of the Saint-Hilaire church:
"The brave architect took a square priest's or lawyer's cap. On this square cap, he built an upside-down salad bowl; on the bottom of this salad bowl, which had become a platform, he placed a sugar bowl, on the sugar bowl, a bottle, on the bottle, a sun fitted into the neck by the lower vertical ray; and finally, on the sun, a rooster skewered in the upper vertical ray. Assuming that he took a day to find each of these ideas, he will have rested on the seventh day.
This artist must have been Flemish"
Saint-Georges Church – Fumay
The church dating from the 19th century, more precisely of 1876, dominates the town of Fumay. Due to its size, the building seems to dominate the town below.
It is entirely built in stone limestone of Dom le Mesnil and the polygonal spire of the bell tower, flanked by 4 pinnacles, is made of Jaumont stone. Inside we discover beautiful stained glass offered by the various Fumacian Brotherhoods. Please note that the church is only open to the public during religious services.
Saint-Lambert Church – Montigny-sur-Meuse
Classroom monument, this church dating from 1765 is undoubtedly the most famous in the valleyIts stucco decoration and the profusion of decorative motifs give thetogether a particular luxury. Remains of an oratory of Gothic style, it hides many secrets inside.
So, these churches are much more than just religious buildings. They are the witnesses to a rich and eventful history, places of worship, symbols of pride for their inhabitants, but also real works of art in their own right. They deserve your full attention.
Let yourself be surprised by the riches these buildings contain. Share your discoveries with us!
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