Attractions and Places To See around Levesville-La-Chenard - Top 3

The Saint-Pierre de Guilleville church is a typical example of the rural religious architecture of the Beauce region in Eure-et-Loir. It is characterized by its sobriety and its strong architectural link with the agricultural daily life of the commune. Architectural description The church features a simple structure in local rubble and limestone masonry, topped by a double-pitched roof covered with slate. • The Nave and Walls: The exterior facades (north and south walls) are buttressed by massive cut stone buttresses, ensuring the stability of the structure. The openings consist of arched windows that provide diffuse light to the interior. • The Bell Tower: It has a traditional tower bell, integrated into the body of the building, which overlooks the vast expanses of the surrounding plains. • The adjoining Arsenal: The major visual and historical feature of the site lies in the immediate presence of the old communal arsenal (fire pump shed or community storage building) adjacent to or directly neighboring the church, creating a unique rural heritage ensemble. Historical elements • Medieval origins: Like the majority of parishes in the Beauce plateau, the church's establishment dates back to the Middle Ages to serve the local agricultural community. It has endured through the centuries, undergoing minor modifications, particularly to its openings and roof structure. • Parish life: The church was long the beating heart of the village of Guilleville (which had up to over 450 inhabitants in the 19th century). It historically belonged to the diocese of Chartres and saw the succession of many local priests, particularly well-documented in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Church of Saint-Martin de Gommerville (Eure-et-Loir) dates back to the 12th century, the era of its initial foundation in the Romanesque style. Here are the main stages of its history and architectural evolution: The main stages of its construction • 12th century (Origins): Erection of the initial church. From this early Romanesque period, the building notably retains the south transept with a characteristic ribbed vault. In 1180, the patronage of the church was officially ceded to the abbey of Valmont by Robert d'Estouteville. • 18th century: The church underwent significant modifications. The nave, a large part of the crossing tower, and the north transept arm were entirely rebuilt during this period. • 19th century (Renovations): In 1825, the current chancel was built by the stonemason Turquetille (who left an engraved inscription there). Later, in 1844, the architect Brunet-Debaines added the sacristy. The impact of the French Revolution During the Revolution (early 1794), the church suffered from the waves of dechristianization. Its assets, furniture, and pews were seized and sold by the municipality. True to the history of many churches in the region, its bells were taken down and then melted down to manufacture cannons for the revolutionary armies.

The Church of Saint-Martin de Gommerville finds its origins in the 12th century, the era of its initial foundation in the Romanesque style. Here are the main stages of its history and architectural evolution: The main stages of its construction • 12th century (Origins): Erection of the initial church. From this early Romanesque period, the building notably retains the south transept with a characteristic ribbed vault. In 1180, the patronage of the church is officially ceded to the abbey of Valmont by Robert d'Estouteville. • 18th century: The church underwent significant modifications. The nave, a large part of the crossing tower, and the north arm of the transept were entirely rebuilt during this period. • 19th century (Developments): In 1825, the current choir was built by the mason Turquetille (who left an engraved inscription there). Later, in 1844, the architect Brunet-Debaines added the sacristy. The impact of the French Revolution During the Revolution (early 1794), the church suffered the waves of dechristianization. Its goods, furniture, and pews were seized and sold by the commune. True to the history of many churches in the region, its bells were taken down and melted to make cannons for the revolutionary armies.

Ouarville was the seat of a cure priory of the religious of St Jean, dependent on the Chartres Abbey of St Jean en Vallée. The church of St Martin was built around 1150 to house relics brought from Constantinople.

The bell tower and nave were erected in 1150 to house the relics of Saint Martin. The choir and side aisles date from 1519. At the beginning of the 17th century, significant ornamental donations were added, as well as two altars in the side aisles dedicated to Saint Sebastian and the Virgin Mary. Major renovations were carried out in the 19th century: the choir vaults were completely rebuilt in 1859. The stained-glass windows date from 1871. A baptistery outside the building was built to the north of the first bay of the nave. The bays above each altar are built in the neo-Gothic style. The original decoration, dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, consisting of geometric elements in red, yellow, and black, has recently been restored. It is a tempera painting on a sand and lime plaster. It adorns the elevations and the vaults of the two lower sides.

The nave consists of a main nave and an aisle to the north. A bell tower is located to the south, as well as a seigneurial chapel. The choir consists of a straight bay and a semicircular apse. A first church was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries by Étienne de Denonville. It was modified in the 16th century by Pierre de Hémard. A seigneurial chapel was built shortly after the death of Jacques de Hémard, Lord of Denonville, in 1559. On the old vault, in 1658, one could still see "the coat of arms and blazons of the Hémard family, which are six sable burels, around which are the hat and cords of a cardinal from the family." The vault was rebuilt by the Brisay family in 1722. A project to extend the church was considered in 1755 but never carried out. The north aisle was built in 1770.

today, the castle and its round towers display a singular silhouette in pink brick in the village. Its history dates back to the invasion of the Romans who set up a farm there to supply Rome with wheat. Over the years this farm was fortified then, during the wars of religion, it became a fortified castle surrounded by defensive moats. Raised to the rank of Marquisate by Louis XIV, the castle was abandoned. Very degraded, in 1760, the decision was taken to ask the architect Liégeon to rebuild, on the foundations, a simple residence, integrated into the outbuildings of the thirteenth century. During the revolution, the property was confiscated and then bought back from the National Property.