Aincourt brings together sanatorium history, sacred architecture, garden art and local industrial history. These topics offer different points of focus: architecture and historical use at the former sanatorium, architectural forms and visual art in the churches, designed landscapes in the Japanese Garden, and millstone quarrying in the forests of Lesseville. When planning a stay, you can choose whether to focus primarily on architectural history, religious art or garden design.
Sanatorium: Architecture and Local History
The Sanatorium d'Aincourt was built between 1930 and 1933 by architects Decaux and Crevel. It is considered an outstanding work of French architecture; its architectural language was later classified as modernist. The construction period and the architectural-historical classification refer to different time periods: the building was constructed in the early 1930s, while its architectural language was classified as modernist later.
The grounds of the former sanatorium lie within the Parc naturel régional du Vexin, which was established in 1995. From October 5, 1940, they were used to intern members of the Resistance. Three distinct periods of history therefore sit side by side: the construction of the sanatorium, the later use of the grounds, and the establishment of the regional nature park.
Churches and Chapel: Architectural Forms and Visual Art
The Église Saint-Martin d'Aincourt dates largely from the 16th century. Its ground plan follows a Latin cross; the choir has a flat end, and a Flamboyant-style chapel stands to the south. These features give the church a distinctive architectural form: the ground plan describes its overall shape, while the choir termination and southern chapel each provide their own architectural accents. The church has been listed in the Inventaire des Monuments Historiques since November 13, 1939. Visits are possible by request. Please confirm arrangements for a visit again before travelling.
The Chapelle Saint-Sauveur offers a different focus through its visual art. The old chapel contains an unusual stone altarpiece from the late 16th century, depicting the Passion in five panels. The five panels divide the subject into individual scenes. The chapel was probably originally associated with a leprosarium; this early function remains a well-founded conjecture.
Garden Landscape and the History of Lesseville
The Japanese Garden in Aincourt was designed to evoke Japanese landscapes. Stone arrangements, a waterfall, an island and a bridge are among the features of the garden. The focus here is not a single building, but the design of a landscape made up of different forms and elements.
Lesseville also adds its own themes to the picture. The washhouse was restored by the municipality. Industrial activity took place in the forests of Lesseville until the beginning of the 20th century, with millstones being quarried there. The restored washhouse and the historical millstone quarrying offer two different ways to explore local history: one through a building restored by the municipality, the other through an earlier industrial activity in the forests.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Witz, Survilliers, Herblay, Garges-Lès-Gonesse, Longuesse, Omerville, Theuville, Argenteuil.
For the regional travel overview: Val-D'oise.
