Notre-Dame-en-Vaux Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Notre-Dame-en-Vaux
Façade of the Collegiate church
Notre-Dame-en-Vaux Location in France
48°57′28″N 4°21′49″E / 48.95769°N 4.36370°E / 48.95769; 4.36370
Location	Châlons-en-Champagne
Country	France
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Founded	1157
Dedication	Our Lady
Architecture
Heritage designation	World Heritage (1998)
Architectural type	church
Style	Romanesque, Gothic
Administration
Diocese	Châlons

The Notre-Dame-en-Vaux is a beautiful Roman Catholic church located in Châlons-en-Champagne, a town in France. It is a very important and famous building in the Marne region. This church is known for its amazing Romanesque and Gothic styles.

History of Notre-Dame-en-Vaux
Architecture and Design
Images for kids
See also

History of Notre-Dame-en-Vaux

Building a Masterpiece

Construction of the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux church began around the year 1157. It took many years to build this grand structure. The main construction work was completed by 1217. This means it took about 60 years to finish the church.

Recognized as a Historic Site

In 1840, the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux church was officially recognized as a historic monument. This means it is a special building protected by the government. It is important because of its history and unique design.

World Heritage Status

The church received even greater recognition in 1998. It was added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that works to protect important cultural and natural sites around the world. The church was listed as part of the "roads to St Jacques de Compostela in France." These roads are ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to a famous shrine in Spain.

Architecture and Design

The Notre-Dame-en-Vaux church shows a mix of two major building styles. It has elements of Romanesque architecture, which is an older style with thick walls and round arches. It also features Gothic architecture, which came later. Gothic buildings are known for their tall spires, pointed arches, and large stained-glass windows. This blend of styles makes the church very interesting to study.