From barons to jacquemarts

Originally served by a college of Augustinian canons, hence its name, the collegiate church of Auffay belonged, from the eleventh century, to a priory of Benedictine monks attached to the abbey of Saint-Evroult en Ouche.

Gilbert, companion of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings, was then the first holder of the barony of Auffay; He will be succeeded by heirs of the greatest Norman families, including the Tancarville and the Longueville.

The collegiate church is today an imposing monument in the center of the city, famous for its “jacquemarts” which mark the hours of the day, outside the south wall. Inside, the 13th century nave is of great purity, offering harmonious volumes and high-quality sculpted decoration.

The alignment of the strong pillars with capitals decorated with faces is impressive. The choir, rebuilt at the end of the 15th century, presents a finely carved plant decoration characteristic of Flamboyant Gothic and particularly elegant.

Important restoration works having been necessary after the Second World War, they were accompanied in an original way by the order of several works of modern art, of which the main ones are the stained glasses of Max Ingrand occupying the large bays of the apse . You must also stop in front of the high altar, which has on both sides paintings by the Rouen artist Roger Tolmer, and walk the Stations of the Cross, a curious work painted in 1935 by Madame Lotus de Païni and recently replaced.

For the use of visitors, a full commentary on the collegiate church recorded in 4 languages ​​(French, English, Spanish and German) is available free of charge from a switch located on the north wall of the nave, just in front of the Entrance.