Villeneuve-l’Archevêque - Notre Dame

Villeneuve-l’Archevêque was founded by the Archbishop of Sens in the second half of the 12th century. The town was built on a checkerboard plan and protected by a wall. All the straight and wide streets were aligned parallel. Two transverse lanes and a few alleys, connect the parallel streets. Due to hostile feudal neighbours, fearing the loss of political power, the start was pretty difficult. It was supported by the Archbishop of Sens Guillaume aux Blanches Mains, whose brother was the Count of Champagne.

Villeneuve experienced a certain economic success. In 1177, the king allowed the establishment of a market there. A hall was built to house the stalls and two fairs were established here.

Notre-Dame dates from the time, when the village was founded. The church was largely remodelled in the 13th century with its Gothic nave, then in the 16th century, with the reconstruction of the transept and the choir in 1530-1540.

Its remarkable north portal is an exceptional example of 13th-century Gothic artwork, centred around the "Coronation of the Virgin", a "young" Gothic icon, as most Romanesque tympana were connected to the "Last Judgement". It is believed that the first "coronation" was carved in Senlis around 1170.

A detail of the lintel: The Nativity and the Annunciation to the shepherds.