Val-Richer Abbey

The Abbey of Val-Richer was founded around 1146 and its abbey-church was consecrated in 1220. Little transformed thereafter, it underwent some work in the 16th century after having been pillaged twice during the Wars of Religion (1562-1598). Abbot Dominique Georges (1651-1693) is considered the main restorer of the abbey. The French Revolution put an end to the monastic life of the abbey in 1791. In 1836, François Guizot, then Minister of Public Instruction, bought the ruins of Val-Richer and restored them.

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Wikimedia Commons/Pascal Radigue

Church of Saint-Ouen

The church dates back to the Romanesque period, as can be seen from the external buttresses of the nave and the rubble of the bell tower and choir. The bell tower is located at the level of the first bay of the nave and was built in 1843. The three-sided chevet extends the nave with a slight recess. The whole building is vaulted in stave wood. The high altar is in the Louis XV style. The center of the altarpiece is made of a canvas, representing the Holy Family, given by François Guizot (1787-1874) and coming from the Val Richer abbey, near the church. Numerous paintings and sculptures can be seen in the church.

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Church of Saint-Martin

The church of Saint-Martin de La Roque-Baignard was originally built in the Romanesque period, it was largely rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries. The decorations and interior furniture date from the 18th century. The gabled western façade has a curved entrance. Two buttresses support the façade. The straight buttress is larger. A clock is placed at the level of the roof. Finally, the bell tower has a square base and four dormer windows are present on its roof.

ALLIANCE POUR LE PATRIMOINE DES ÉGLISES EN PAYS D'AUGE

Church Saint-Gorgon

The church of Saint-Gorgon, a Historic Monument since 1977, dates from the end of the 12th century. The church, oriented West-East, with four bays, initially ended with a flat chevet to which a five-sided sacristy was later added. However, the three lancets can still be seen in the sacristy. The nave is topped by a gabled roof and the chancel by a hipped roof. The entrance to the building is an open wooden porch (late 15th or 16th century). Once inside you can admire the 18th-century high altar with a copy of a painting by Van Dyck and terracotta statues. The octagonal baptismal basin, perhaps dating from the 16th century, is also worth noting.