Briarres-sur-Essonne

Since antiquity Briarres was an important crossing point on the Essonne, as evidenced by the etymology of its name, which comes from the Celtic term Briva meaning bridge. This bridge was located on the great Gallo-Roman road from Orléans to Reims, which crossed the road from Chartres to Sens. Numerous archaeological finds (including sarcophagi, pottery and coins from a Merovingian cemetery) attest to the very ancient occupation of the site The village is dominated by the tall silhouette of the church of Saint-Etienne, which was built between the 12th and 15th centuries, redesigned in the 16th century and restored in the second half of the 19th century. The oldest parts of the church are the choir, which has two square bays, and the bell tower on the north side.