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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Collège Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Laurent d'Eu, located in the town of Eu in the Seine-Maritime, has its origins in the 10th century. Founded in 925 by Guillaume I, Count of Eu, it was initially a collegiate dedicated to Sainte-Marie, served by secular clergy. In 1119, Henri I, Count of Eu, transformed the establishment into Augustinian abbey by replacing secular canons with Saint-Victor's regulars. This change marks the beginning of its increased religious and political role in the region.

In 1186, the reconstruction of the church began, incorporating an ogival style and a Latin cross plan. The collegiate church became a prestigious burial place, welcoming in 1180 the remains of Saint Laurent O The work was completed around 1230, but the building suffered several fires in the 15th century (1426, 1455, 1475). Despite these destructions, the collegiate church retains its importance, sheltering the tombs of the Counts of Eu and their families in its crypt, called "Saint-Denis of Normandy".

The French Revolution marked a dramatic turning point: in 1790, the abolition of monastic vows led to the destruction of abbatial buildings, leaving only the church. It was classified as a historic monument in 1840 and was restored in the 19th century under Louis-Philippe, adding exceptional stained glass made by the Sèvres manufacture (1833–47), with contributions from artists such as Delacroix. Today, the building serves as a parish church and bears witness to almost a thousand years of religious, artistic and nobility history.

The interior of the college is distinguished by its 13th century nave at triple elevation, its stalls of the 17th to 18th centuries, and a remarkable furniture, including a bench of 1731 offered by Louis-Auguste de Bourbon, Count of Eu. The crypt, 31 metres long, houses the gissants of 12 personalities, including Jean d'Artois, Isabelle de Melun, and Charles d'Artois, as well as that of Saint Laurent O的Toole. These tombs, decorated with sculptures, illustrate the close link between the abbey and the local nobility.

The stained glass windows, commissioned by Louis-Philippe, form a unique set in France by their quality and their iconographic program. The windows of the lower side, inspired by Delacroix's drawings, represent holy figures such as Saint Adelaide or Saint John the Evangelist. The organ of 1614, carved wooden stalls, and a 16th century polychrome tombage complete this artistic heritage. The college, owned by the commune, remains a symbol of the cultural and spiritual influence of medieval and modern Normandy.

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