Notre-Dame Church (Lillebonne)

The Notre-Dame Church in Lillebonne is a striking 16th-century Flamboyant Gothic church built to replace an earlier place of worship destroyed during the Hundred Years' War. The most impressive feature is the 55-meter bell tower, constructed between 1535-1540 using limestone from Plaimbosc, which bears a resemblance to the tower of Harfleur Church and contains astonishing sculpted characters. The ornate portal was completed in 1553, while the eastern part of the nave and choir were rebuilt in neo-Gothic style by architect Georges Simon in 1873-1874. The church is classified as a Historic Monument, with the bell tower protected since 1846 and the portal since 1929. Visitors can admire the blend of medieval Flamboyant Gothic architecture with 19th-century neo-Gothic elements, as well as notable interior features including an 18th-century pulpit and a 19th-century painting by Le Pilleur. The unusual north-south orientation of the building is unique for a church. Archaeological excavations in the adjacent square have uncovered remains of a Roman city's pedestrian center, adding historical context to this site.