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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Denis de Pierrefitte-en-Auge, located in Calvados in Normandy, is a Catholic building built mainly in the 13th century, with major modifications in the 15th and 16th centuries. The choir, typical of medieval architecture, dates from the 13th century, while side chapels, decorated with ogival windows, were added in the 16th century. The building was restored in the 15th century, with the addition of foothills and windows, reflecting the stylistic evolutions of the time.

The particularity of this church lies in its painted 17th century decor, exceptionally well preserved, covering the vaults of the nave and chapels. These paintings, perhaps made by Italian artists, represent biblical scenes (Old Testament, lives of saints) as well as decorative motifs (angels, fruits, landscapes in blue and purple camaïeu). The Saint-Laurent chapel, dated 1645 by inscriptions, has a red and yellow camaieu decoration, while the northern chapel has a starry azure sky sown with lily flowers. These works, unified by their style, could be the work of a single artist.

The building was listed as a Historic Monument on June 17, 1930, recognizing its heritage value. Historical sources, such as the works of Arcisse de Caumont (1862), underline the importance of these paintings, rare in Normandy, and their connection to the reign of Louis XIV. The bell tower, covered with slates, and the painted structure of the nave complete this remarkable architectural ensemble, witness to the artistic evolutions between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

The location of the church, on the left bank of the Touques in Pierrefitte-en-Auge, and its membership in the municipality (code Insee 14500) make it a key element of the Calvados religious heritage. The successive restorations, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, illustrate its adaptation to the liturgical and aesthetic needs of the eras traversed.

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