Église Notre-Dame de la Haye, Romanesque church in Descartes, France.
Notre-Dame de la Haye is a Romanesque church with a square bell tower and a rounded tower on its side. The interior shows fragmentary paintings on the walls, and the apse has a semicircular shape that preserves the original design.
The chapel was founded in 1104 as a castle chapel and gained parish church status in 1220. During the 18th century, it was temporarily used as a storage shed before returning to its religious purpose.
The church is linked to philosopher René Descartes, who was baptized here. His family later chose this place for burials, giving the site personal meaning in local history.
Access is mainly by appointment for group visits and during European Heritage Days. Parking near the Henri IV bridge offers spaces for cars.
The church is the only surviving building of the La Haye fortress, built in the 11th century by Foulques Nerra. This powerful feudal lord left traces of his control over the region through this fortification.
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