A first church was probably built on this site as early as the 12th century. Nothing remains of it, although the lower parts of the coulter towers at the corners of the east façade may still belong to the original building.

The church of Saint-Remi that we see today, which is still on the old elevated site with a fantastic view over the valley of the Oise (from here, on a clear day, you can see the neighbouring church of Saint-Algis), is made entirely of sandstone with bricks and is undoubtedly related to Saint-Nicolas in Englancourt, the neighbouring village, suggesting that the builders were the same in the 14th century.

What clearly distinguishes the two churches, however, is that while Saint-Nicolas has a solid keep, Saint-Remi lacks it completely; there is not even a tower here.

Four coulter towers were added during the fortification in 1633. The two main towers frame the pointed arch portal of the entrance. They rest on strong buttresses and small, mysterious human heads made of stone can be seen at their base. The other two coulter towers at the ends of the nave were cut in half when the choir was remodelled in the 18th century.

Around the nave there are embrasures visible from the outside at about head height.

Since the church is open every day, it can also be visited from the inside. In contrast to its beautiful and rustic exterior, I find the church to be a bit of a letdown in this respect. There has been too much “modernisation”. The lower part of the nave and choir is wood-panelled up to the height of the windows, the walls above are plastered and painted.

What a contrast to the neighbouring church of Saint-Algis! You can get an impression of this for yourself in the slide show above. As beautiful as it is from the outside, as disappointing it is from the inside.