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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Étienne church of Saint-Étienne-l'Allier, located in the Eure in Normandy, is a religious building whose construction spanned mainly between the 12th and 13th centuries. The nave, of rectangular plan, dates from the 12th century, while the chorus in steeple and the steeple in stone, marked by large buttresses, are added in the 13th century. This bell tower, typical of the nascent Gothic architecture, contrasts with the Romanesque simplicity of the initial nave. The western façade, on the other hand, includes a porch housing a room of charity, a traditional space dedicated to welcoming the poor or pilgrims.

Over the centuries, the church underwent several major changes. The nave was rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries, during which period the woodwork of the stalls was arranged, adding an element of remarkable liturgical furniture. The bays of the nave and chorus were re-opened in the 15th century, changing the interior lighting, while the west facade was resumed in the 18th century. In the 19th century, the porch, a room of Charity and a sacristy complete the building. The interior, covered, retains an exceptional furniture, including a 14th century d'ecclesiastical gissant, rare sculptural testimony of this period.

The Saint-Étienne church is historically linked to the Bec-Hellouin Abbey, located in the Eure, which was the patron of the church. This monastic dependence explains certain aspects of its architecture and furniture, reflecting the influence of Benedictine communities in the region. Classified Historical Monument by decree of 22 July 1996, it now belongs to the commune and illustrates the architectural and spiritual evolution of medieval and modern Normandy.

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