Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Memorial gardens, Abbaye d'Ardenne, Caen
Right
Abbaye Notre-Dame, Le Bec-Hellouin
Religious Buildings
Abbaye d'Ardennes, Caen
During the Battle of
Normandy, 23 Canadian soldiers
were executed at this 12th-
century abbey on the outskirts of
Caen; a memorial garden now
commemorates them. The
partially ruined abbey church is a
fine example of Norman Gothic
architecture.
d
Map D3
Ste-Foy, Conches-en-Ouche
This Flamboyant Gothic
church is graced by some of the
finest stained glass in Normandy
(see p90)
. Its tall spire is a precise
copy of the one knocked down in
a storm in 1842.
d
Map H4
Abbaye Notre-Dame, Le
Bec-Hellouin
There is a marvellous view of the
abbey, its creamy 18th-century
buildings nestling in the lush
valley, as you enter the village
from the south on the D39. The
18th-century refectory has been
converted into a simple church,
where its founder's sarcophagus
lies sunk beneath the altar
(see
p46)
.
d
Map H3
Abbaye St-Martin-de-
Mondaye, Juaye-Mondaye
The monks of this small
community welcome guests
on retreat, and host summer
concerts in their handsome
18th-century abbey.
d
Map D3
Prieuré de St-Gabriel,
Brécy
Set around a courtyard, the
lovely honey-stone buildings of
this former daughter house of
the Abbey of Fécamp are now
occupied by a horticultural
school. They can be viewed from
the outside only.
d
Map D3
Notre-Dame, Louviers
From the 13th century, the
town was an important centre of
cloth-making. The lavishly deco-
rated church, with its stunning
south porch, reflects its wealth.
d
Map J3
St-Pierre, Thaon
No longer in use, this little
church is a lovely sight in its
isolated setting, hidden by
greenery at the tip of a valley. A
gem of Romanesque architecture.
d
Map D3
Notre-Dame, Verneuil-sur-
Avre
Built of a reddish stone called
grison
, this attractive church is
noted for its plethora of saintly
statues, mostly 16th-century
(see p90)
.
d
Map H5
Eglise Abbatiale, St-Pierre-
sur-Dives
At noon, the copper strip on the
floor of the nave shows the
position of the sun's rays
(see
p33)
.
d
Map E4
Notre-Dame, Vernon
With its elegant High Gothic
west front, complete with
graceful rose window, this
collegiate church has the feel
of a cathedral.
d
Map K4
For more Norman abbeys
See pp46-7
92
