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.
Construction began in 1505 under architect Jehan de Félin, who designed the complete reconstruction of an earlier Gothic structure. This new building replaced the previous church and reflected the evolving needs of the growing city.
The church is named after Aspais, an early evangelist who shaped the city's spiritual roots in late antiquity, making it the only such dedication in France. It continues to serve the local community as Melun's principal parish church and gathering place.
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.
Due to space constraints in medieval Melun, the church has an unusual trapezoidal floor plan rather than the standard rectangular design. This irregular layout creates a distinctive spatial quality inside that differs from typical church designs.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
