In Seine-et-Marne (77), this astonishing church is nicknamed the Little Sistine.

In the heart of the peaceful commune of Lesches, in the Seine-et-Marne region, stands thechurch of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, an 18thᵉ century edifice that holds many surprises in store. As soon as you cross its threshold, you're greeted by an explosion of color and form: 235 biblical scenes cover the walls and vault, illustrating the Old and New Testaments as well as the life of Mary. These frescoes, created by local artist Nicole Michigan from 1983 onwards, give the church the evocative nickname of the"Sistine Chapel of Lesches".

The history of this church is closely linked to that of the parish of Lesches, whose origins date back to the XIIᵉ century. Although the exact date of the building's construction remains unknown, it already appears in parish registers as early as 1572 . Over the centuries, the church has benefited from several restorations, most notably in 1900 thanks to a donation from Madame Françoise Marie Sophie baronne Bray de Valfresne, née Carré, owner of the local château. A white marble plaque at the entrance to the building pays tribute to her for this reason.

What makes this church truly unique are its monumental frescoes. Nicole Michigan, driven by a passion for sacred art, devoted several years to painting these biblical scenes, even involving the villagers as models. This approach lends a human and local dimension to the whole, reinforcing the link between the building and its community. The church is also home to heritage treasures such as a polychrome stone statue of the Virgin and Child dating from 1370, measuring 1.30 meters, and a high altar with its painted and gilded wooden altarpiece from the XVIIIᵉ century .

The church is open to the public on the first Sunday of the month, and tours can be arranged on request by contacting the association at lasixtinedelesches@gmail.com. Some tours can even be led by theartist Nicole Michigan herself.

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