Church Saint-Aspais, Gothic church in Melun, France

Saint-Aspais church is a Gothic building in Melun constructed from Saint-Leu stone with substantial walls. Inside, a high central nave spans five bays, flanked by two side aisles and several chapels decorated with Renaissance stained glass windows.

A predecessor church is documented from 1080; its bell tower was rebuilt in 1468/69 after English siege damage in 1420. The west facade and nave went up from 1506, and on 23 March 1517 the Parisian master mason Jehan de Félin was engaged for the choir, supplying a plan for a full rebuild. Work stopped in 1519 amid cost disputes and Félin died a year later; Jehan François resumed in 1546 and the church was finished around 1556.

Aspais is one of Melun's two patron saints, with Saint Liesne, and this is the only church in France dedicated to him; his life is unknown. Under the Ancien Régime children were often baptised Aspais or Aspasie, and Aspais-Armand Pasquier, a bell-ringer who died in 1906 at 1 rue des Cloches, was the last person to bear the name. He is invoked against headaches.

The church welcomes visitors and provides open access to its architectural features and stained glass. Taking time to examine individual windows and details closely allows you to better appreciate the craftsmanship of the Renaissance artisans.

The church is the only one in France dedicated to Saint Aspais, a patron of Melun whose life is unknown. Under the Ancien Régime, children were commonly baptised Aspais or Aspasie; the last bearer of the name was the bell-ringer Aspais-Armand Pasquier, who died on 18 April 1906 at 1 rue des Cloches.