Bernay Abbey Church

Bernay, France

Bernay Abbey (Notre-Dame de Bernay) was established in the first decade of the 11th century by Judith of Brittany who devoted part of the marriage settlement from her husband, Richard II, Duke of Normandy, to its construction. The latter entrusted the completion of the abbey to the Italian, William of Volpiano (died 1028), who reformed the monastery of Fécamp to which he had been called in 1001. After a period of delay in the work, the completion was made by Vital of Creully (appointed in c. 1060, died 1082), the first abbot of the abbey.

The apse was rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century and new west facade was added in the 17th century. During the Revolution the church was badly damaged and partially destroyed. The restoration began in 1963.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

linnea smedler (5 years ago)
Très joli
Indeewara Jayawardane (5 years ago)
An absolute gem.
Marie Roquefort (6 years ago)
Très jolie bâtisse. Extraordinaire pour les concerts ou expositions
Cécile Francois (6 years ago)
Lieu magnifique mais belle arnaque car si en effet elle est monument historique (gratuite), pour y accéder il faut demander la clé au musée des Beaux-Arts, et donc payer un billet couplé avec le musée (pour lequel on est pas forcément intéressé, comme c'était mon cas). De plus pas d'information sur son histoire avant la révolution. Bien dommage de finir la visite de cette jolie ville ainsi
Sylvie Barre (6 years ago)
Très beau lieu profane. Froid l'hiver mais l'été super agréable à visiter quand il fait chaud
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Abbey of Saint-Georges

Saint-Georges de Boscherville Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey. It was founded in about 1113 by Guillaume de Tancarville on the site of an earlier establishment of secular canons and settled by monks from the Abbey of Saint-Evroul. The abbey church made of Caumont stone was erected from 1113 to 1140. The Norman builders aimed to have very well-lit naves and they did this by means of tall, large windows, initially made possible by a wooden ceiling, which prevented uplift, although this was replaced by a Gothic vault in the 13th century. The chapter room was built after the abbey church and dates from the last quarter of the 12th century.

The arrival of the Maurist monks in 1659, after the disasters of the Wars of Religion, helped to get the abbey back on a firmer spiritual, architectural and economic footing. They erected a large monastic building one wing of which fitted tightly around the chapter house (which was otherwise left as it was).