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Saint Peter's Church (Église Saint-Pierre) - Gatteville-le-Phare
Eglise paroissiale Saint Pierre à Gatteville le Phare 7910 by Raimond Spekking / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
ChurchHistoric SiteMonumentGothic Architecture

Saint Peter's Church (Église Saint-Pierre)

Gatteville-le-PhareMancheNormandyNorthern FranceFrance
4.4(30 reviews)
35 minutes

About Saint Peter's Church (Église Saint-Pierre)

This parish church in Gatteville-le-Phare dates back to the 11th century and features a rare architectural element: two bell towers. The original Romanesque tower from the 11th century stands alongside a massive granite tower built in 1766 because the first was considered too low. The nave was reconstructed in Neo-Gothic style in 1876, while the choir was rebuilt in 1868, creating an architectural blend spanning nine centuries. Notable features include 10 stained glass windows by artist Gabriel Loire (1948-1950), a 16th-century Virgin and Child statue with Flemish influences, and the 15th-century Denneville Chapel with its medieval artifacts. The church survived being sold for just 4 francs 50 centimes during the French Revolution. It functions as an active parish church and is fully protected as a historic monument since 1975.

Interesting Facts

The church entrance features a decorated triumphal arch with two carved monster mouths showing sharp teeth, a medieval architectural element meant to symbolize the gateway between the profane world and sacred space.
In 1181, King Henry II of England gave the churches of both Gatteville and nearby Barfleur to the Notre-Dame du Vœu Abbey in Cherbourg, linking this small Norman church to the English crown during the time of the Plantagenet dynasty.
The stained glass windows by Gabriel Loire use a specific technique called 'antique glass set in lead' with grisaille painting, creating subtle effects that differ from typical medieval stained glass. Loire was a master glass artist from Chartres whose works appear in over 450 buildings across 45 countries.

Planning Your Visit

Opening Hours

Monday -
Tuesday -
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Location & Practical Info

Address

1 Place du Vieux Clocher, 50760 Gatteville-le-Phare, France

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