Saint Aubin Church of the Puthenaye dans l'Eure

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Aubin de la Puthenaye, located in the commune of Romilly-la-Puthenaye (Eure, Normandy), is distinguished by an architecture whose oldest elements – the choir and the nave – date back to the first half of the 16th century. These parts, characteristic of the transition between flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance, testify to a period of reconstruction or beautification of local religious buildings. The sacristy, added later, dates from the seventeenth century, reflecting an evolution of liturgical or community needs.

The building was placed under the patronage of Conches Abbey, an influential monastic institution in the region, which played a key role in its spiritual administration and perhaps in its financing. This link with an abbey underlines the importance of religious networks in the management of rural parishes in modern times. Inside, the church once housed a 15th-century Virgin Child and a wooden altarpiece, two major rooms now transferred to the Saint Peter's church in the municipality. These objects, although moved, illustrate the artistic richness of the place.

In the last quarter of the 20th century, the church benefited from a financial contribution from the Foundation for the Safeguarding of French Art, enabling work to be carried out to bring it up to standard. This external support reflects the vulnerability of small rural buildings to restoration costs, as well as the commitment of associations to preserve a heritage that is often unknown. Today, the church remains an identity marker of Romilly-la-Puthenaye, linked to local and regional history.

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