Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Pierre de Coutances, mentioned in 1056 in a charter of Guillaume le Bâtard, is a religious building marked by a turbulent history. Ruined during the Hundred Years' War, it was rebuilt from 1494 under the impulse of Bishop Geoffroy Herbert, as evidenced by a wall inscription. The present, flamboyant Gothic building incorporates 13th century remains, such as capitals and archatures in third-point, visible at the base of the bell tower and in the nave.

The octagonal tower, inspired by the cathedral of Coutances, was erected between 1550 and 1581 thanks to papal gifts and indulgences. Master masons Richard Vatin and Guillaume Le Roussel led the construction, while Nicolas Saurel worked in the choir in the 16th century. During the Revolution, the church served as a hay barn, before being classified as a historic monument in 1901. Its Renaissance portal and nine epitaphs of the 15th and 16th centuries, including those of Guillaume Broc and Aubain Bouillon, enrich its heritage.

Inside, sober, preserves votive inscriptions and hybrid architectural elements, mixing Gothic and Renaissance. Among its remarkable furniture is a statue of the Education of the 15th century Virgin. The church thus illustrates the stylistic transitions and historical recompositions of Normandy, between the Middle Ages and the modern era. Its ranking in 1901 underscores its heritage importance, both for its architecture and its role in local memory.

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