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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Arnoul de Coulonges, located in the hamlet of Coulonges in Sylvains-les-Moulins (Eure, Normandy), is a building whose oldest part dates back to the 12th century. It was completely renovated in 1886 by the local parish priest, during the Third Republic, while retaining earlier elements such as his nave ending in a flat bedside. The sacristy, dated 1863, is one of the few architectural innovations of the nineteenth century still visible today.

The interior furniture, including harmonium and paintings, dates from the Second Empire (1852-1870). These were offered by Napoleon III and his wife, Empress Eugénie de Montijo, reflecting the imperial influence on the religious buildings of the time. Since 2007, the church and its sacristy have been restored by the Heritage Foundation to preserve this historical and cultural heritage.

The church is dedicated to Saint Arnoul de Soissons, protector of brewers, a cult particularly widespread in northwestern France. Historian Nicolas Wasylyszyn highlights a link between this local cult in the 12th century and that of Saint Philibert in Villez-sous-Bailleul, suggesting religious and cultural exchanges in the region. This monument thus illustrates both Norman architectural history and popular traditions associated with beer and rural life.

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