Aincourt – Architecture, History and Garden Landscapes

Aincourt can be explored through its architecture, history and designed landscapes. The former sanatorium, the Église Saint-Martin, the Chapelle Saint-Sauveur and the Japanese Garden each offer a different perspective. If you are planning a stay, you can distinguish between architectural history, sacred art and regional natural themes. The dates also help you avoid confusing construction phases with later uses.

Architecture and historical uses

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 style was later associated with modernism. The period in which it was built and its architectural classification offer two different ways of approaching the building: the first places it in the early 1930s, while the second describes its stylistic classification.

The site of the former sanatorium is located in the Parc naturel régional du Vexin, which was established in 1995. From 5 October 1940, the site was used to intern members of the Resistance. This historical use began after the building's construction and marks a different chapter in the site's history. When exploring the site, you can consider these two periods separately: the sanatorium's construction and its use from 1940 onwards.

The Église Saint-Martin d'Aincourt was built largely in the 16th century. Its floor plan follows a Latin cross; the choir has a flat end, and a chapel in the Flamboyant style stands on the south side. These features describe different parts of the building: its floor plan, the end of the choir and the design of the side chapel. The church has been listed in the Monuments Historiques inventory since 13 November 1939. Visits are possible by request; it is best to arrange your visit before travelling.

Sacred art and designed landscapes

The Chapelle Saint-Sauveur houses an unusual stone altarpiece from the late 16th century. It depicts the Passion in five panels. While the focus at Saint-Martin is on the floor plan and architectural features, here it is on a particular work of art. The Chapelle Saint-Sauveur is an old chapel, probably originally the chapel of a leprosarium. This likely origin offers another historical context alongside the depiction of the Passion.

The Japanese Garden in Aincourt draws inspiration from Japanese landscapes in its design. Its features include rock arrangements, a waterfall, an island and a bridge. These elements bring the design principle to life: the landscape is evoked not only through individual objects, but also through their arrangement as a garden scene. The garden therefore offers a different perspective from the historic buildings, where architectural form and past uses are the main focus.

Traces of the past in Lesseville and regional trails

Lesseville also offers a range of historical themes. The washhouse was restored by the municipality. The forests of Lesseville were home to industrial activity involving the extraction of millstones until the beginning of the 20th century. The restored washhouse and the former extraction of millstones represent different aspects of local history: a restored building and a once-common activity in the forests.

The Vexin français has nearly 1,100 kilometres of marked hiking trails. These include the long-distance trails GR 1, GR 2 and GR 11, as well as the GRP de la Vallée de l'Epte regional long-distance trail. The total length and the named long-distance routes provide an overview of hiking trails at the regional level and complement the historic sites with a landscape perspective.

Discover more destinations: Pierrelaye, Gouzangrez, Chaussy, Seraincourt, Taverny, Maffliers, Deuil-la-Barre, Sannois.

For the wider travel overview: Val-D'oise.