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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Corneville-sur-Risle, founded in 1180 on the bases of a priory given in 1143 by Gilbert de Corneville, initially welcomed monks from Saint Vincent-aux-Bois. The church was consecrated in 1147 by Hugues, Archbishop of Rouen. This religious establishment, linked to the Augustinian order, becomes a central place for local spiritual life.

In 1287, a fire ravaged the abbey, plunged the community into a long period of insecurity. Only in 1659, with the arrival of the Reformed Canons of the Congregation of France (Genovans), began a reconstruction phase. This period also marks a disciplinary renewal, making Corneville the only genovéfaine abbey in Normandy.

Archaeological excavations of 1985 reveal that the parish and abbey churches (now extinct) were shared between the faithful and the monks. The abbey has 34 abbots, including Jean de Fay, the last regular abbey in 1544, followed by abbots like Raoul du Mont. The current remains, protected since 1992, include elements of the cloister and the lost church hold.

The 17th and 18th century architecture, although partially preserved, illustrates the evolution of monastic practices and the influence of religious reforms. The southern and eastern wings of the cloister, as well as the archaeological soils, bear witness to this turbulent history, between destruction, reconstruction and adaptation to ecclesiastical changes.

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