Hidden amongst fields of grain stands Le Plessis-Gassot a tiny village. It sits about 20 kilometers north of Paris. Le Plessis-Gassot also lies 10 kilometers west of Charles de Gaulle Airport. This quiet commune boasts a history stretching back to prehistory. Evidence shows human occupation even during Gallo-Roman times. Four Gallo-Roman villas once stood here. They flourished from the second to the fourth centuries. Alas the barbarian invasions destroyed them.
The current village grew around a place of worship. This shows the enduring importance of faith in shaping the community. A remarkable Gallo-Roman cellar was unearthed in 1974. Inside archaeologists found pottery tools and coins. A bronze folding knife handle depicting an eagle was also discovered. This offered a fascinating glimpse into the past.
In the Middle Ages Le Plessis-Gassot belonged to King Philip V. This was back in 1320. Centuries later in 1521 a significant event changed the village’s destiny. Antoine Robert secretary to King Francis I donated the land and church. The recipients were the Guillemite monks of Paris. They were also known as the White-Mantles. These monks shared the lordship with two other religious orders. The Ursulines of Rue Saint-Jacques in Paris were one of them. The other was the ladies of Maubuisson a Cistercian abbey in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône.
Sadly parts of Le Plessis-Gassot suffered during religious conflict. Thiessonville and Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles were burned down by Huguenots during the Battle of Saint-Denis in 1567. The title of Lord of Thiessonville remained until 1793. It was held by the Marquis de Crussol Lord of Bouqueval.
The French Revolution marked a new era for Le Plessis-Gassot. Its agricultural nature became paramount. The village’s isolation meant it slowly lost residents. A landfill now occupies some of Le Plessis-Gassot’s land. This dates back to the early 1960s. Originally it was for recovering waste materials. It was transformed into sand quarries in 1966. In 1969 authorization was sought to turn ten hectares into a waste storage facility. This meant the disappearance of Thiessonville by 1974. Today the landfill covers 250 hectares. It handles around 800000 tons of waste annually.
But amidst these changes the enduring symbol of Le Plessis-Gassot stands tall. The Church of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption remains. It is a classified historical monument since 1930. Its Renaissance architecture speaks of a rich past. This church replaced an earlier one that may have dated back to the 13th century. The present church was built between the late 1560s and 1575. The Guillemite monks oversaw its construction. The master mason Nicolas de Saint-Michel of Luzarches was the architect. Later additions were made possibly in 1682 including the western facade. The high altar and its woodwork date from this period. They are regionally unique due to their painted decor. While the original steeple had two stories they were removed in 1899 due to collapse fears.
Despite its austere exterior the church’s interior captivates. The proportions and graphic aesthetics are pleasing. The decoration is refined and not excessive. Considering the village’s small size the architecture and furnishings are exceptional. Note the striking similarities to the churches of Attainville and Mareil-en-France. The church has undergone complete restoration in the early 21st century. Le Plessis-Gassot a village steeped in history waits for you to discover its secrets.