Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Andelys (Collégiale Notre-Dame des Andelys)
About Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Andelys (Collégiale Notre-Dame des Andelys)
The Collégiale Notre-Dame des Andelys is a magnificent Gothic church built between 1215 and 1320 on the site of an ancient abbey founded by Sainte Clotilde in 511 AD, making it one of the oldest religious sites in Normandy. The church displays a striking blend of architectural styles, from early Gothic to Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance, visible in the contrast between its ornate south facade and classically-inspired north side. Cathedral-sized at 70 meters long with 21-meter vaults, the interior houses remarkable 16th-century stained glass windows by master glassmakers Arnoult de Nimègue and Romain Buron, as well as a rare Cavaillé-Coll organ from 1892 set within a stunning 1573 Renaissance wooden tribune. Art lovers will appreciate paintings by Quentin Varin and Jacques Stella, the latter being a close friend of the famous painter Nicolas Poussin who was born in Les Andelys. Entry is free, and the church is open daily from 9:00 AM, closing at 5:30 PM in winter and 7:00 PM in summer. Guided tours are available upon reservation through the local tourism office.
Interesting Facts
Around 1610, a young 17-year-old Nicolas Poussin met the painter Quentin Varin who came to create panels for this church. This fateful encounter sparked Poussin's decision to become a painter, and he would go on to become one of the most influential artists in French history, with his works now displayed in the Louvre and major museums worldwide.
The church was built on the ruins of a 6th-century abbey where, according to legend, Sainte Clotilde (wife of King Clovis I) performed a miracle by turning spring water into wine to motivate the construction workers. The spring was believed to have retained miraculous healing properties, making the site an important pilgrimage destination on June 4th each year.
The church houses not one but two organs classified as Historic Monuments - a rare distinction in France. The main Cavaillé-Coll organ from 1892 was inaugurated by the legendary organist Alexandre Guilmant, and sits within an extraordinary 1573 Renaissance wooden tribune featuring carved panels depicting Christian virtues, liberal arts, and mythological deities.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Rue Louis Pasteur, 27700 Les Andelys, France
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