Église Saint-Pierre de Genainville et sa dalle-labyrinthe

Genainville

In the Vexin français, the small church of Saint-Pierre at Genainville keeps a rare medieval labyrinth, still in place. It is a limestone slab of 75 centimetres by 68, on which an octagonal labyrinth is engraved. It dates from the last quarter of the 13th century and lies, according to the official record, in the choir, at the entrance, at floor level. A corner of the stone has long been missing. The design is much smaller than that of Reims, now vanished, but it belongs to the same family of church labyrinths. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1957. The church also houses a headless statue of Saint Michael, to be restored at the same time as the slab. The village has another claim to fame: a large Gallo-Roman sanctuary, with a double-cella temple and a vast entertainment building designed for 5,000 to 10,000 people, built on a Gaulish necropolis. Excavations began in 1935 and the remains have been listed since 1941.

POP — Carrelage de sol dit « labyrinthe », église Saint-Pierre de Genainville ↗

Getting there: Village of Genainville, in the Vexin français. The church belongs to the commune; its opening times were not found, so apply to the town hall. According to the official record, the slab is in the choir, at the entrance, at floor level. A restoration of the slab and of the statue of Saint Michael was voted in 2024 by the Île-de-France Region; its progress has not been verified. The Gallo-Roman site can be seen on the spot; the objects found are displayed in the Val-d'Oise archaeological museum, at Guiry-en-Vexin.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound