St. Germain Church, Andrésy

The Saint-Germain church is a Catholic parish church located in Andrésy, Yvelines, France. Its core is a Gothic building of elongated plan, with a central vessel with triforium and high windows, and two aisles, all vaulted with ogives, and ending with a flat chevet. Except for the large window in the chevet, which was built after the fact, the construction period of this church of considerable dimensions and beautiful workmanship can be situated between the end of the 12th and the first quarter of the 13th century. Like most of the large churches in the region, it underwent structural changes after the Hundred Years' War. Beginning in 1517, the eastern half of the south aisle was rebuilt with four small rectangular chapels, all in the flamboyant Gothic style. A generation later, during the reign of François I, a larger extension was undertaken on the north side. In order to add a vast side aisle, almost as wide as the nave and its south aisle combined, the old north aisle was demolished, and the north elevation of the central nave was successively rebuilt underneath. The Renaissance side aisle is remarkable for its capitals evoking Saint-Maclou of Pontoise and three partly original stained glass windows, but its proportions are unfavorable, both in terms of its squat appearance and its stability. Two other 16th-century stained glass windows remain in the south aisle. The church of Saint-Germain was classified as a historical monument by decree of April 25, 1949, and remains at the center of the life of the parish. It hosts Sunday masses every Sunday.