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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of Saint Martin of Nonancourt, first mentioned in the 12th century, finds its origins in a primitive building probably built between the 7th and 8th centuries. The current bell tower, located in the middle of the façade, dates from the reconstruction of 1204. This monument illustrates the local architectural evolution, marked by the destruction of the Hundred Years' War, which required a major reconstruction of the coasts, the nave and the choir in the sixteenth century. A chapel dedicated to the Virgin, called the Rosary, was added during these works, enriching the building with an additional devotional space.

The church houses an exceptional artistic heritage, including neo-Gothic and Renaissance furniture, including a wooden pulpit carved with a fineness comparable to lace. Among the treasures preserved are a varied statuary, a 16th-century organ buffet, and a mysterious fresco that was discovered in 2001. The 26 stained glass windows, dating from 1500 to 1530, form a rare set by their number and quality, with low windows anterior to high windows. These elements reflect the cultural and religious richness of the region during the Renaissance.

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1975, the Church of Saint Martin is also distinguished by its atypical attachment to the diocese of Chartres, unlike the majority of the parishes of the Eure dependent on Evreux. This status reflects local historical peculiarities, while the building continues to play a central role in collective memory, as evidenced by the baptisms of local personalities, including 18th and 19th century political and military figures.

Classified art objects, such as the pulpit to be preached or stained glass windows, highlight the heritage importance of the place. The fresco discovered in 2001 adds an enigmatic dimension to the history of the church, inviting new research on its past. The building, owned by the commune, remains a symbol of Norman artistic resilience and creativity, crossing centuries from its medieval foundations to its Renaissance beautifications.

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