Flins-sur-Seine

Emerging from the mists of time, Flins-sur-Seine whispers tales of ancient origins, possibly dating back to the Gallo-Roman era. Flins-sur-Seine faced a terrible plague around 945. This plague was known as “the sacred plague,” “the disease of the burning ones,” or “the evil of hell.” A chilling account in the parish archives of Flins-sur-Seine describes the suffering. Many afflicted sought relief at a small spring. This spring flowed “from a hollow near the place where our church now stands.” Those who drank from its waters found temporary solace. As they moved away, their pain intensified. Those who returned and stayed near the fountain were healed. The church of Flins-sur-Seine stands apart from the village, a testament to these miraculous recoveries. It was dedicated to Notre-Dame-des-Ardents, Our Lady of the Burning Ones. Later, the church was placed under the patronage of Saint Cloud in 1764 and Sainte Anne. Over the centuries, the church of Flins-sur-Seine underwent demolitions, reconstructions, and transformations. The most recent renovations in the 1980s shaped its current form, echoing the churches of Bouafle and Aubergenville. The coat of arms of Flins-sur-Seine further enriches the story. It displays the arms of the Montgoubert family, lords of Flins. A wavy band symbolizes the Seine, while a toothed wheel represents the Renault car factory. The mural crown, an emblem of Greek goddesses protecting cities, adorns the crest. A vine branch signifies the famous wine of the Côtes de Flins. An oak branch represents the surrounding woods.