Church of Druval à Beaufour-Druval dans le Calvados

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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame de Druval church, located in the village of Beaufour-Druval (Calvados, Normandy), is a religious building whose oldest parts date back to the late 12th or 13th century according to the observations of Arcisse de Caumont. Its architecture combines elements of the thirteenth, fourteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, reflecting the stylistic evolutions of these periods. The bell tower, of octagonal shape and covered with slate, is a notable feature, while the western portal, adorned with 14th century tores, and the 17th century porch illustrate this temporal diversity.

The church was classified for its site in 1935, especially for its tree aisle, later replaced by warhead-cut thuyas after the felling of the fir trees in 1977 for security reasons. A remarkable if of more than 20 meters high still remains today. The building itself was listed as historical monuments on 13 March 1975. Historically, the appointment of the church was the responsibility of Notre-Dame du Bec Abbey, a link that underscores its religious and heritage importance in the region.

Arcisse de Caumont, in his 19th century writings, mentions architectural details such as a lancet window decorated with grey in the north wall, as well as Latin inscriptions truncated in capital letters. These elements, although partially altered or blocked, bear witness to the building's rich past. Inside, two altars house eighteenth-century paintings, adding an artistic dimension to this heritage. The church structure, with its tower located between the choir and the nave, is also an example of the spatial layout characteristic of Norman churches.

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