Monuments
and museums
VERNON
: COLLEGIATE CHURCH NOTRE-DAME
Place Barette-Vernon
The collegiate church Notre Dame dates back to the roman period (end of XIth Century) but its construction continued from the Gothic period to end in the XVIIth Century.
The church was dedicated in 1072 "to the Holy Mother of God."
In 1658 the pavement was raised about two feet to keep it out of reach of the swelling of the river Seine. Two engravings on the wall of the church commemorate these floods.
The west façade of the church boasts a rose window in high gothic style. Enormous pipe organs and ambulatory with ribbed vaults.
12 rue du Pont 27200 Vernon.
See page museum
| VERNON : MAISON DU TEMPS JADIS (House of old times)
It is one of the oldest houses in Vernon. This corbelled construction dates back to XVth century. It has beautiful half-timbered façades and a carved corner post on the theme of the Annunciation. |
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A symbol of Vernon, the old mill still lies straddling two piers of
the ancient bridge over the Seine. It can be easily seen from the Clemenceau
bridge or from the Park of the Tourelles Castle.
No visit.
It is a private property belonging to an unknown American heir. The town
of Vernon had the mill renewed a few years ago.
| VERNON : TOURELLES CASTLE
The Tourelles castle was built during the middle age by Philippe Auguste. It was a bridgehead meant to defend the town of Vernon which lied at the border of the crown lands and the Duchy of Normandy.This stronghold consists of four towers, of which one had been partly demolished by a bomb during World War II and is being restored. |
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The apse is the oldest part of the church (XIth Century). See the grotesque heads of the modillions. The rest of the church, however, is Gothic. Beautiful Virgin with Child of stone. The squat church tower contains two bells of 1861.
Art Galleries
Galerie du Démocrate : 1 place de l'Ancienne Halle,Vernon
L' Atelier fleuri : 121 bis rue Claude Monet, Giverny
Galerie Tuffier : 22 rue Marcel Lefèvre, Les Andelys
Galerie Michèle Guérin : Limetz Villez
OLD STREETS
In spite of the bombardment of 1940-44 which seriously damaged the center of the town, Vernon has maintained a few streets which seem to come directly from the Middle Ages. Half timbered houses with ancient doors and carved beams, shop signs in wrought iron, cobbled paths are of exceptional character and are a frequent sight throughout tis charming town.
The following streets merit your attention : rue Bourbon-Penthievre, rue
Malauliere, rue Saint-Sauveur, rue du Chapitre, rue Carnot (where stands
the house of the historian A.G. Poulain, richly carved by himself), rue du
Pont, rue de la Boucherie, rue Potard and the hotel des Fleurs decorated
with carved heads (see photo), rue du Grevarin...
In Vernon an esplanade has been layed out on the banks of the River Seine. Summer swimming-pool, picnic area, playground for children.
Above la Roche-Guyon and as far as Vetheuil the Crests Road follows the ridge of the cliffs over the River Seine and offers magnificent viewpoints on the Seine valley and the Epte valley.
Vernon is edged by a beautiful wood of oaks and chesnut trees open to the public. Wide alleys, health course, picnic areas are dotted throughout this recreation area.
Three pathes starting from Tourelles Castle make a loop for a walk of
two, two and a half or three hours. Called "circuit des trois collines" (loop
of the three hills) and marked out in yellow, black or blue. One may take
on the complete route or shorten the tour by following one of the numerousdetours
which lead back to Vernon directly.
There is a pink path of about 20 kms and the Catenay loop (23 km) passes
through the wooden hills and the plateau or the banks of the Seine. Last
but not least a red path of 30 km cascades along the heights of the left
bank.
Moreover a GR (chemin de Grande Randonnee, path for longer
hikes) follows the right bank of the Seine. An old railroad reconverted
into a pedestrian path enables to walk from Vernon to Giverny off the road.
(about 5 km).
Many walks, hikes and bike tours are possible in the region.
Their access is not always very easy, but.... it is free !
See Archeological Sites page
FEAST
AND FAIRS
Most are free ! See Events page
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