Eglise Saint Eustache (Church of Saint Eustace), Versailles

The Church of Saint Eustace is the oldest church in the town, its origins going back to 1543. Built on a site that once held a chapel dedicated to Saint Denis, the current structure was consecrated by Cardinal Eustache du Bellay. At the time of its construction, the surrounding area consisted largely of thatched cottages and open land, and the church stood nearly alone, surrounded by its grounds and a cemetery.

Architecturally, Saint Eustache offers an example of local parish church design from the Renaissance period in France. Its façade features a western entrance with a porch surmounted by a large window, and a tower-bell over the west front. On the interior, a chapel flanks the nave on its northern side.

During the French Revolution, it was repurposed as a “Temple of Reason”, a fate shared by many churches in France during that era; its furnishings and donated items, including woodwork and fabrics, were looted or sold. In more recent times, the building has undergone restoration, most recently in 2020, to preserve its structure and refresh its interior.