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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Ouen de Routot, built between 1125 and 1175, follows a Latin cross plan with three vessels, with a flat bedside and a western gable wall facade. The choir, the square bell tower and part of the nave date from the 12th century, while the two western spans of the nave and the bedside bay were added in the 15th century. The northern chapel and the western facade were remodeled in the 19th century.

Originally, the church belonged to the seigneury of Routot, owned by the Montfort family. In 1181-1189 Adeline de Montfort, having received the land in dowry, gave it to the Abbey of Bec Hellouin, with the tithes. This gift was confirmed in 1411 by the Archbishop of Rouen, Hugues of Amiens. The bell tower, classified in 1910, replaces the missing south arm of the transept and is surmounted by a polygonal arrow.

In the 19th century, major restorations were undertaken, notably by architects Dupuis and Simon. In 1867, the creation of a chapel of the Virgin and a sacristy aroused criticism for technical and aesthetic reasons. In 1889 Gustave Cossard proposed works including stained glass and the repair of the porch. In 1925, reinforcements were needed to stabilize the bell tower, whose structure threatened the classified tower.

The inside has a vaulted nave in overturned boat frame, with exposed beams and a panelled frame. The bays, in broken arches or full hangers, illuminate the building. The western facade, remodeled, has two rectangular doors surmounted by a flamboyant reamped bay. The clock, considered ungracious, was withdrawn around 1948.

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