Dominated by the majestic Magdalene Tower, the medieval town of Verneuil-sur-Avre has a fine heritage, which is best appreciated on a leisurely stroll through its picturesque streets dotted with old half-timbered houses and private mansions, and along the pretty Promenades lined with willow trees which overlook the town's old defensive trenches.
Be sure to pay a visit to its two remarkable religious buildings: the Magdalene Church, with its beautiful stained glass windows, multi-coloured statuary and above all its superb Flamboyant Gothic tower from the 15th and 16th centuries, with its picture windows and sculpted figures; and the Church of Our Lady, built in the 12th century and then redeveloped in the 15th and 16th centuries, which contains a splendid collection of old statues.
Located not far from the pleasant André Faugère floral park, the Grey Tower, a 13th-century keep built by Philip Augustus, is now a venue for cultural exhibitions.
The medieval city of Verneuil-sur-Avre stands proudly in the department of Eure, in Normandy. It is located near the Avre and Iton, in the Evreux district, and is part of the tourist home country of Avre, Eure and Iton, rich of nearly 90 municipalities.
Verneuil-sur-Avre was founded in the 12th century by Henri I Beauclerc, son of the famous William the Conqueror. One of its districts, that of Saint-Martin, was the object of numerous confrontations with the lords of Thymerais, due to its geographical situation. Thus, the city experienced several clashes until the 15th century and its meeting in the county of Perche.
Nowadays quieter, the Norman city is mainly known for its tourist activity dominated by the Middle Ages and the many monuments still present in the small town. Authentic and simple, Verneuil-sur-Avre is full of small alleys to discover the time of a walk in another time.
Classified as Historic Monuments, the church of Sainte-Madeleine dates from the 12th century. A symbol of the city, it is best known for its 15th-century tower, culminating at 56 meters and visible until the cathedral of Chartres on a clear day. Its architecture has inspired the architects of the Tribune Tower in Chicago. The sculpted decoration of the building, very fine, reminds connoisseurs of the Butter Tower of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Rouen. Inside, it is difficult to resist the stained-glass windows or the various polychrome statues.
Full of interest, the church of Notre-Dame, which dates from the same time, must also be visited. Remodeled in the 15th and 20th centuries, it contains a wide range of ancient statues.
Raised by Philippe Auguste, the tower Grise dates from the thirteenth century. It would hold its name from the stone used for its construction, the Gray. It now offers some exhibitions of great interest.
As you walk through the city, do not miss the vestiges of Saint-Jean church, a 16th century building bombed in 1944 at the time of the Second World War, or the 17th century Saint Nicholas Abbey.
For a pleasant stroll, direction the floral park André Faugère and its rich flora in colors.
Between two old half-timbered houses, private mansions are unveiled, and one can only appreciate the Promenades, paths lined with linden trees that dominate ancient ditches.
Ancient church, Espace Saint-Laurent now hosts many cultural exhibitions in various fields.
The market is held on Saturday and Sunday morning.
The Feast of the Gueux, medieval of Verneuil-sur-Avre, take place every year in May. For the occasion, the city offers concerts, fairy shows, historical reconstructions, a medieval market, street shows or even a Palaeolithic camp.
A fireworks display and a popular ball are proposed on July 14 for the National Day. A night craft market is also organized.
In August, place at the young audience festival The time of the elves with entertainment and shows for children.
The festival of Etoiles symphoniques takes place in August and offers concerts of chamber music or classical music.
La Vache et le Caribou is a Franco-Quebec festival highlighting the two cultures and their deep attachment.
The Geneviève Moll book fair is held in September, with the award of the biography prize.
In September, the festival Les Mauvaises Graines highlights current music.
A Christmas market takes place in December.
Pierres en Lumières : Verneuil-sur-Avre.
- On 18 may 2024
- 620 rue de la Madeleine, Médiathèque Jérôme Carcopino, Verneuil-sur-Avre
- Storytelling and singing. - For this new edition, the Normandie Sud Eure Tourist Office, the Jérôme Carcopino Media Library and the Verneuil School of Music are joining forces to offer you an original way to discover our heritage. This glow-in-the-dark balloon tour, punctuated by storytelling and song, will take you along the water ? S edge to discover the moat, wash-house, checkerboard house and church.
Eure Poétique et Musicale : Orcheste de l'Opéra de Rouen
- On 26 may 2024
- Place de la Madeleine, Verneuil-sur-Avre, Église de la Madeleine
- The 17th l ? Eure Poétique et Musical festival welcomes the Orchestre de l ? Opéra de Rouen for its inaugural concert, - With a German program and a British trumpet player, international soloist.
Eure Poétique et Musicale : "Paris Broadway"
- On 1 june 2024
- 611 rue Notre-Dame, Espace Saint-Laurent, Verneuil-sur-Avre
- Isabelle Georges, soprano & Louise Akili, piano Legrand, Bernstein, Weill, Loewe - A "Full week-end" has been initiated in Verneuil : two concerts take place in the same venue. Famed musical theatre singer Isabelle Georges will set the pace in the first with her exuberance, breathing new life into standards such as Singing in the Rain, Parapluies de Cherbourg and My Fair Lady ?
Eure Poétique et Musicale : "Quintette a Vent Malizioso"
- On 2 june 2024
- 611 rue Notre-Dame, Espace Saint-Laurent, Verneuil-sur-Avre
- With young soloists from the CNSM de Paris - Dvorak, Ligeti, Poulenc, Gasparian - Our "Full Weekend" continues and concludes with a young wind quintet named Malizioso, recently formed by students at the CNSM de Paris. They will explore a repertoire for five, then six (with piano), ranging from 19th-century transcriptions to original 20th-century works, ending with Francis Poulenc ? S Sextuor.
Eure Poétique et Musicale : Trio Estonien
- On 8 june 2024
- Église
- Edua ZADORY, violin - Aare TAMMESALU, cello - Irina ZAKHARENKOVA, piano - Beethoven, Babadjanian
La Nuit du Handicap à Verneuil-sur-Avre
- On 15 june 2024
- Parking André Malraux, Verneuil-sur-Avre
- Initially planned as a one-off event in 2018, La Nuit du handicap attracted 50,000 people in 20 towns and cities. Such was its success that it was decided to make it a permanent event and create the association La Nuit du handicap to organize these free events. The idea is to offer a wide range of opportunities to experience the joy of meeting people with disabilities at festive events, artistic, cultural and sporting achievements, and testimonials showcasing their gifts and talents in public squares. - Free admission. - Program to follow.
Eure Poétique et Musicale : Ensemble Sirba Octet "Yiddishe Mame"
- On 16 june 2024
- Breteuil, Place de l'Église, Église Saint-Sulpice
- At the heart of the Yiddishe and Gypsy soul - Richard SCHMOUCLER, violin and artistic director - Philippe BERROD, clarinet - Iurie MORAR, cymbalum - Christophe HENRY, piano - Stanislas KUCHINSKI, double bass
Contes "Le Monde des Rêves"
- On 22 june 2024
- 620 Rue de la Madeleine, Médiathèque, Verneuil-sur-Avre
- Albadi the troubadour falls in love with the dancer Esmeralda, but already she's slipping away and disappearing ! Albadi sets off in search of her ? An original, whimsical tale created by Digitus Novem. - For ages 5 and up.
Eure Poétique et Musicale : Récital "Les Saisons"
- On 23 june 2024
- Francheville, Église Saint-Martin
- Vanessa WAGNER, piano Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Sibelius, Glass - For this 17th edition, we have the pleasure and honor of inviting pianist Vanessa Wagner, an eclectic musician with irresistible charisma, much loved by the public, who happily moves from Tchaikovsky to Philippe Glass and contemporary improvised music - Improvised music. Her curiosity and open-mindedness command admiration.
Ouverture des Bulles d'Été
- From 29 to 30 june 2024
- Parc de la Mairie et Place de la Madeleine, Verneuil-sur-Avre
- Tournois de chevalerie initiatique (town hall park) - Once out of fashion, medieval tournaments are being revived by the Association Chevalerie Initiatique. This sports show, in which knights compete in spectacular games of skill and face-offs, delights young and old alike, - Young and old alike, in historic settings. The aim of this amateur group is to promote this equestrian sport in the world of horsemanship and the Middle Ages - (In the event of hot weather, show times may be adapted to suit the comfort of the horses) - Saturday June 29 - 11am : Squires' tournament - 2.30pm and 5pm : 6-jouster tournaments - Sunday June 30th - 11am : Squires' tournament - 2.15pm and 4.30pm : 6-player tournaments - Treasure hunt and entertainment (place de la Madeleine) - Saturday June 29, from 3pm to 6pm - Poetic fire show "Étoiles" by Compagnie Libellune (place de la Madeleine) - Saturday June 29,10.30pm - When the sun goes down, you can see the stars starting to shine, up there in the sky… and so begins the show that takes spectators to the farthest reaches of the universe. This fire show marries juggling and impressive incandescent effects with the poetry of storytelling and magic.
