The treasures of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church in Jouarre

Our-Lady and the stained-glass windows

In Sainte-Anne chapel, we come across a lovely statue of Notre-Dame-de-Jouarre (″Our Lady″), dating back to the 16th century.

In her right hand, she holds a branch, probably coming from Jesse’s tree.

Behind her, stained-glass windows (16th c.), restored in 1855 by glass-maker Didron, from Paris: they represent the Virgin’s life.

The Entombment

This Entombment dates back to the 16th century: in the past, it was in the Romanesque tower of Jouarre abbey.

Characters were made by Michel Colombe’s workshop, a sculptor from Tours (Central France).

Today we know the Christ was carved by Colombe himself!

And we suppose Antoinette de Moustier, abbess of Jouarre who gave this sculpted group in the 16th century, was represented as the Virgin Mary!

The Pieta

This polychrome Pieta (15th century) represents saint John and Mary-Magdalene next to Jesus and Mary.

The strange pierre des Sonneurs

This 13th century grave (pierre des Sonneurs, ″Ringers’ stone″) was discovered in 1864 on the current place Saint-Paul (former cemetery).

The epitaph says: ″Here lies Chiens-Dieux and his father, who used to frequent this church.″

M-CH-DIEU and J-CH-DIEU refer to the two bells-ringers of Jouarre abbey.

Chiens-Dieu (″God’s guardians″) was probably their name!