The parish church of Saint-Étienne is one of the main ancient monuments of the city of Chilly-Mazarin. Although founded a priori towards the 5th and 6th century AD on Gallo-Roman foundations, its current configuration dates from the 1630s, following a profound overhaul carried out under the impetus of the first Marquis of Chilly, Antoine Ruzé d'Effiat (1582-1632).
Entirely classified as a Historical Monument, its rich 17th century furniture, from the priory church of Saint-Éloi, testifies to the golden age of the village during the Great Century. When this priory installed along the Yvette, in the south of the city, was dismantled and destroyed from 1791, the choir of its church was dismantled and reassembled in Saint-Étienne. So today we can admire The Burial of Christ of Simon Vouet, an oil on canvas of 1639 (illustration), as well as a tricolor marble altarpiece of Languedoc, two statues of calvary in plaster of Laurent Magnier (Saint John and the Virgin), as well as fine woodwork remarkably carved.
Its rich funerary furniture is not left behind. Essentially also created in the seventeenth century, two imposing funerary monuments stand out from the whole: the 1627 cenotaph of Martin Ruzé de Beaulieu and the tomb of hearts of 1647 of Antoine Ruzé d'Effiat, his wife Marie de Fourcy and their daughter Marie. Saint-Étienne indeed houses several burials of the former lords of Chilly, having chosen to remain there for their eternal rest, whether they are of the house of the Effiat Rush, mainly, or Mazarin, to a lesser extent, all ancestors of the present Grimaldi, princes of Monaco.
Through a guided tour of about two hours, the municipal archivist will present the remarkable furniture of Saint-Étienne, as well as the life and work of the illustrious characters who made the old Chilly.
20 people will be able to participate in each of the two visits, which are free, of an approximate duration of two hours each, on reservation required. The appointment is set in front of the church at 14:45, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September.
Information and booking:
01 69 10 59 50
archives@ville-chilly-mazarin.fr