Could this unassuming ruin be a relic of ancient Roman worship? It’s easy to miss the Tour Montjoie. This 15-meter-tall stone sentinel, now just a shell of its former self, has stood watch over Conflans-Sainte-Honorine since the 11th century. But the Tour Montjoie’s story begins long before the Middle Ages. The very name “Montjoie” hints at a Roman past. It originates from “Mons Jovis”, meaning “Mount Jupiter”. It suggests that this site, perched atop a rocky spur overlooking the Seine, may have been a place of worship for the Romans centuries earlier. Imagine their rituals, their offerings, their voices echoing where we stand today! During the Middle Ages, the Tour Montjoie formed part of a much larger castle. It served as a strategic watchtower, its sharp eyes scanning the horizon for potential invaders. Today, the castle is gone, but the Tour Montjoie remains. It stands as a testament to the layers of history beneath our feet, a silent witness to the passage of time.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.